Jailed Detroit Mayor Faces New Assault ChargesDetroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was supposed to be released from jail today, but instead he faces a new set of felony charges relating to his allegedly shoving a sheriff’s deputy into his partner last month. The two deputies were reportedly trying to deliver a subpoena to a friend of the mayor when the incident occurred.
Attorney General Mike Cox — the first Republican AG in 48 years — charged the Motown mayor with two counts of felonious assault for “assaulting … police officers in the furtherance of their duties.”
The new charges are separate from those relating to the “Text Message Scandal,” which resulted in indictments for obstruction of justice and perjury.
From the Detroit Free Press:
Kilpatrick attorney James Thomas said they were going to fight the new charges as they fought in court today with “law and common sense.” He said of the new charges, “it’s just an allegation, let’s take it step by step.” At the suggestion the latest case was on the fast, track, he laughed and said, “Mike Cox could dismiss it in one day.”
Kilpatrick comes from a strong political family in Detroit. His mother is U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D), who is currently running for re-election.
Late update: The DFP reports that Kilpatrick was released from jail and arraigned on his new charges this morning. The mayor was fitted with a tether, and forced to pay $50,000 bond in order to secure his release on the two new felony charges.
Kilpatrick has also been forbidden to travel, which includes his planned appearance at the Democratic National Convention later this month.