Detroit mayor leaves jail, then is charged with fresh felony counts

We interrupt the presidential campaign for this breaking news item from Detroit -- and the only reason we do so is because it is such a persistently bizarre story.

Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick spent Thursday night in jail after violating his bail conditions by crossing the Detroit River for an official meeting in Windsor, Ontario -- that's right, he left the country. But he came back. Unfortunately for Kilpatrick, he was supposed to get court permission before leaving the jurisdiction, and the judge was not amused. So he sent the mayor to jail for the night.

The underlying case is one of those sordid tales of infidelity and, in this case, allegations of perjury stemming from the mayor's testimony in a civil case by whistle-blowers the city had fired that that he had not had an extramarital affair with one of his aides. Copies of racy text messages between the mayor and the aide -- "And, did you miss me, sexually?" -- seemed to suggest otherwise.   

Today's twist: After Kilpatrick was released from jail this morning, he was tagged with fresh charges -- felony assault stemming form an incident last month in which he allegedly shoved a cop.

Kilpatrick has remained defiantly in office through all of this, despite pressure by the City Council, local Democrats -- the mayor's party -- and, well, just about everyone except perhaps political columnists that he pack it in.

The good news -- this little soap opera takes the locals' minds off the economy.

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[GPLLL]

The best part of this... It's the tip of the iceberg. I'm a local, and for the last few months, there've been so many twists and turns that I can't fit it all here.
Let's put it this way: This story reaches back to 2002, and involves corrupt cops, parties at the mayorial mansion, the assault of and death of a local stripper, whistleblowers, cushy contracts for friends and family, funneling of city funds for personal gain, perjury charges and finally assault against law enforcement.
It's been a ride up here. Start with the wikipedia article on Kilpatrick, and just go from here.

[John Charles Webb, Jr.]

When Kwame Kilpatrick went to Windsor, Ontario he did not go as 'Kwame Kilpatrick, individual' he went on hs trip as the mayor of Detroit.

Kilpatrick is the duly elected official of the people of Detroit and the court (judicial body) overstepped its constitutional boundary by intruding upon the Executive branch of Detroit's government.

This is a constitutional issue.
There is a legal difference between Kwame Kilpatrick the person and Kwame Kilpatrick the mayor.

I hope Kilpatrick gets himself a good lawyer; one who is familiar with the concept of 'separation of powers'.

The courts should not second guess the citizens' choice for a leader nor should the courts intrude into the Executive Branch of Detroit's government (as in this instance).
For as long as Kilpatrick is mayor it seems (constitutionally) that he is free to fulfill the demands and requirements of his office without 'court supervision'.

This matter is a constitutional issue.

[josh beane]

Is this what urbanite progressiveness leads too? How can we put faith iin politics when its acronymn is "dirty""Sly" and "demeaning"...Situational ethics.."Fire da boy"

[Ed Weirdness]

Seriously, the only reason that the LAT is following the Kwami Kilpatrick story is because it makes LA's Mayor seem principaled and honest!

[TP]

This is exactly what I expect from Detroit, pure entertainment--ITS DETROIT FOR GODS SAKES--

[Adeel]

John Charles don't worry it was Kwame Kilpatrick the person who spent the night in jail and not Kwame Kilpatrick the mayor.
In unrelated news Al Capone reminisced about the good old days when the city was less corrupt.

[volunteer]

John Charles Webb, Jr. , are you so completely blind?

[chris]

Typo: 'form' should be 'from'

"...allegations of perjury stemming form the mayor's testimony..."

[Thanks, we'll fix.]

[REALIST2008]

The stupid SHALL be punished. Mostly due to their ignorance and arrogance. Funny stuff, you just can't write good fiction when you got such a three ring circus in real life.

[BT]

"The people" can do some very foolish things. Too bad there wasn't a court with the muscle to put Hitler in jail after the people voted for him. And I am sure that you liberal leaning folks would love to see GWB in shackles.

[Terry McNeel]

John Charles has no clue how the system works. Kwame Kilpatrick is Kwame Kilpatrick and that is that.

[cal]

This is proof that Hillary needs to get back in the running for President of these United States.

[Jeff Russell]

Let's see. The court allows the Mayor to be released on bail pending his trial. A condition of that release is you must stay in this courts jurisdiction. John Charles needs to go back to Law school.

[John]

kicking the black man when he's down!

[Geewiz]

"When Kwame Kilpatrick went to Windsor, Ontario he did not go as 'Kwame Kilpatrick, individual' he went on hs trip as the mayor of Detroit."

This statement simply promotes a dangerous separation of the title from the person: what I do under the guise of my "official capacity" provides me protection from actions I take as a private person, and vice versa.

Think Richard Nixon, who claimed executive privilege to raise himself above the law.

Rightfully, the courts make no distinction between the man and his title. It is, ultimately, still the man himself who made the decision to thumb his nose at the law.

[mcg]

So John: when he assaulted the police officer, did he do it as Citizen Kilpatrick or Mayor Kilpatrick? And does that make a difference?

Come on. It is ludicrous to suggest Kilpatrick earns some sort of immunity if he acts in his official capacity as mayor.

[mikel]

LA-HOOO ZA-HER!

[Shandooga]

Well, I was going through my deck and I found a race card so here it is:

25% of the world's prisoners are in the USA. 50% (approx) of those are taken from a 12% segment of the population. Wait, that's not a card, that's statistics, isn't it? This 12% is the same 12% that has been enslaved, disenfranchised, lynched, persecuted, raped and murdered for hundreds of years in the same country.

Am I to believe that the historical persecutors have gradually changed into the victims just as the victims were changing into perpetrators? More likely that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

[John Charles Webb, Sr.]

John, uh, did you know that he had already left the state and country before without notifying the court? And THAT's why he was thrown in jail? Did you also know that they are mounting a recall vote against him? While that's happening, do you think he can just do whatever he wants???

[inthed]

Mr. Webb, are you aware that all Kwame had to do was call the court to let them know he was going on city business in order to be approved for travel ? Yep, that is it. They just wanted a phone call. Not much to ask for unless you think you are above the law and needn't respect it.

[sbisking]

Kwami Kilpatrick LMAO. This is hilarious. Way to go Detroit elect another thug!

[Bonnie]

The point here is not whether he went to Windor as Kwame the mayor Kawme the man, the point is that he went. The point here is that reagardless of who you, or what position you hold no one is above the law. And by doing what he did, the way he did it..he broke the law. Had he approached the courts and explained his reasons for needing to go prior to July 23rd, things could have gone very differently.

And as someone who comes from the area, there's another point to be made, yes politicians shouldn't have the right to unilaterally second guess the votes of the public, but the public, well they've already second guessed their decision and they want him gone as well.

[rock0]

it's good to be the black

[Advocate4Liberty]

Any question that begins with "How can we put faith iin politics..." needs to be answered with "You've got to be kidding!!!"

[David C.]

Our mayor has been making bad decisions for many years. The governor has the ability to remove him, but she lacks the backbone to do it. Amazingly, Kwame has the gaul to stick around, repeating always, "I will not resign. The people elected me."

Well, they didn't elect you king.