Prometheus 6

McPhail said McCargo and Copeland are "critical to the defense" of Kilpatrick and urged a stay in the proceedings. Granholm has said she lacks subpoena power to compel testimony, but McPhail urged her to reconsider.

"The fact is that the inability to compel the attendance of the witnesses is a serious, if not fatal, blow to the defense in the removal proceedings," she wrote.

5 lawyers won't testify at Kilpatrick's hearing
Mayor's counsel argues some are crucial to defense
BY ZACHARY GORCHOW • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • August 29, 2008

Gov. Jennifer Granholm is expected to continue with her removal hearing against Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick even though lawyers who were part of the police whistle-blower suit at the heart of the text message scandal decided not to testify.

Five attorneys will not appear at the Wednesday removal hearing -- if it occurs, following a lawsuit the mayor's attorneys filed Thursday to block it.