Detroit Mayor is Untethered, Then Re-Restricted

Criminal Justice

Detroit Mayor is Untethered, Then Re-Restricted

Posted Aug 14, 2008, 01:25 pm CST
By Martha Neil

Reversing another judge's earlier order that Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick had to wear an electronic tether due to his violation of bond restrictions on traveling, a Wayne County Circuit Court judge today not only untethered the mayor but lifted the travel ban.

"He is not a flight risk. I see no reason for the restrictions," said Judge Leonard Townsend. He characterized the travel ban as "silly," reports ABC affiliate WXYZ, and said Kilpatrick can attend the Democratic National Convention later this month.

Kilpatrick and his former chief of staff, Christine Beatty, were in court before Townsend for their arraignment in a criminal case alleging perjury and other illegal conduct concerning their handling of a police whistleblower case against the city of Detroit.

However, another judge subsequently re-imposed the tethering requirement in a separate assault case in which the mayor is a defendant, reports the Detroit Free Press.

"Judge Ronald Giles clarified just moments ago in a written order that Kilpatrick must remain on tether," the newspaper writes. Giles, through a clerk, also reiterated his prior ruling restricting the mayor's travel. Under his order, Kilpatrick will not be able to attend the Democratic National Convention.

Additional coverage:

Top of the Ticket (Los Angeles Times): "Kwame Kilpatrick and a fresh episode of 'As Detroit Turns' "

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