2008 Woodie Awards
Mayor mute at arraignment
Magistrate enters not guilty pleas for Kilpatrick
By: Maria Spicketts
Issue date: 3/26/08 Section: News
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick became the first sitting mayor of the city to appear in court on felony charges Tuesday.
Both Kilpatrick and former chief of staff Christine Beatty remained silent during their arraignment Tuesday, forcing the magistrate to enter not guilty pleas for the two.
Kilpatrick was charged Monday with four counts of perjury, one count of conspiracy, one count obstruction of justice and two counts misconduct in office. If found guilty on all eight counts, Kilpatrick could serve up to 80 years in prison.
In January, according to the Detroit News, more than 14,000 text messages were revealed which indicated that Kilpatrick had an affair with his chief of staff, Christine Beatty.
Mark Johnson, Minority Student Services graduate assistant, said it is too early to determine whether or not Kilpatrick should resign from office.
"I think it's a little early to jump to conclusions about whether or not he should step down," Johnson said. "You can't declare him guilty before his trial."
Beatty, 37, received four counts perjury, one count conspiracy, one count obstruction of justice and one count misconduct in office.
Kilpatrick and Beatty pleaded "not guilty" to all counts Tuesday.
While under oath in December, both Beatty and Kilpatrick lied about an intimate relationship during a suit filed by two former Detroit police officers.
Detroit senior Taryn Markoe said she has noticed a divide between residents.
"As a Detroit citizen and native, I'm embarrassed by the whole ordeal, and I wish he would not have lied under oath," Markoe said.
Kilpatrick, allegedly at the request of Beatty, fired former Detroit Deputy Chief Gary Brown, who was investigating their affair.
Johnson believes Kilpatrick is being treated fairly and race is not an issue in the situation.
"If it was any mayor of any major city, it would be handled the same way," Johnson said. "Look at the governor of New York - it was handled in a similar manner, as far as the media goes. He (Kilpatrick) is a mayor, and in a leadership position. People tend to hold leaders to a higher standard."
Both Kilpatrick and former chief of staff Christine Beatty remained silent during their arraignment Tuesday, forcing the magistrate to enter not guilty pleas for the two.
Kilpatrick was charged Monday with four counts of perjury, one count of conspiracy, one count obstruction of justice and two counts misconduct in office. If found guilty on all eight counts, Kilpatrick could serve up to 80 years in prison.
In January, according to the Detroit News, more than 14,000 text messages were revealed which indicated that Kilpatrick had an affair with his chief of staff, Christine Beatty.
Mark Johnson, Minority Student Services graduate assistant, said it is too early to determine whether or not Kilpatrick should resign from office.
"I think it's a little early to jump to conclusions about whether or not he should step down," Johnson said. "You can't declare him guilty before his trial."
Beatty, 37, received four counts perjury, one count conspiracy, one count obstruction of justice and one count misconduct in office.
Kilpatrick and Beatty pleaded "not guilty" to all counts Tuesday.
While under oath in December, both Beatty and Kilpatrick lied about an intimate relationship during a suit filed by two former Detroit police officers.
Detroit senior Taryn Markoe said she has noticed a divide between residents.
"As a Detroit citizen and native, I'm embarrassed by the whole ordeal, and I wish he would not have lied under oath," Markoe said.
Kilpatrick, allegedly at the request of Beatty, fired former Detroit Deputy Chief Gary Brown, who was investigating their affair.
Johnson believes Kilpatrick is being treated fairly and race is not an issue in the situation.
"If it was any mayor of any major city, it would be handled the same way," Johnson said. "Look at the governor of New York - it was handled in a similar manner, as far as the media goes. He (Kilpatrick) is a mayor, and in a leadership position. People tend to hold leaders to a higher standard."
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Eric
posted 3/26/08 @ 9:20 AM EST
This is a great day for the city of Detroit. Perhaps this is the turning point where thuggery, cronyism, nepotism, and lawlessness by the elected officials is no longer tolerated. (Continued…)
Robert Williams
posted 3/26/08 @ 3:05 PM EST
Yes a wonderful day for Detroit. Now that some "big event" has occured once again, people from outside of Detroit are actually acting like they care about the welfare of Detroit again. (Continued…)
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