By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com I am sure by now you have heard that Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is embroiled in one big ole mess!
The allegations against Motown's mayor have made Kilpatrick the modern day Marion Barry-
On Monday March 24, Mayor Kilpatrick was charged with perjury, obstruction of justice and official misconduct stemming from a sex scandal and the prominent Democrat's handling of an $8.4 million settlement of a whistle-blower lawsuit against the city.
The 37-year-old politician was charged after detailed sexually explicit text messages surfaced that appeared to contradict his sworn denials. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced the eight-count criminal indictment against Kilpatrick, including two counts of obstruction of justice and four counts of perjury.
Kilpatrick could face up to 15 years in jail if convicted.
He will appear in court on June 9 for preliminary examinations.
On March 26, Kilpatrick announced that he would remain in office and would form a legal defense fund.
The Detroit Justice Fund is set to include prominent businessmen, power brokers and politicians who would assure that Kilpatrick could afford the millions of dollars that is expected to fight the charges against him.
The membership committee for the fund includes former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown and S. Martin Taylor, a former DTE executive and a
The troubled mayor pleaded not guilty to charges that he lied under oath about an alleged affair with his chief of staff. The woman in question, Christine Beatty, has also pleaded not guilty.
While initial reports claimed that television talent Judge Greg Mathis was 
on the original list for the Detroit Justice Fund, the host of the 'Judge Mathis' court show announced on March 27 that he believed Kilpatrick should step down.
Mathis, a former judge in
According to the paper, Mathis was an active supporter of mayoral candidate Gil Hill, whom Kilpatrick defeated in 2001 in the general election to win his first term as mayor.
For additional perspective on the Kilpatrick situation, read
VIDEO: Kwame Kilpatrick Blames The Media For The Scrutiny He Faced in
Comments: (46)
Add a comment
By: toni on 3/29/2008 9:46PM
i think this is another man that thinks hes above the law. it is more admiral to step up and say "yes i fucked up" and move on and accept the consequences for your actions than to keep hiding behind the truth! im sick of men thinking they can do their dirt and no one is ever going to know about it! own up to yo bullshit, step down, and let a better man handle the business that should of been handling!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: HoneyBrn on 4/02/2008 11:59PM
Kilpatrick needs to step down! Not only is he making himself look bad, he's putting the city in a bad light. People are cancelling conventions to the city and tours to the city. We don't want him as our Mayor. What do the people of Detroit have to do DRAG him from office! The so called pastors that keep talking about stay in office need to go with him! where have they been the last few years under rocks? PLEASE!!! Enough already... Just RESIGN!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: moya on 3/30/2008 1:37PM
he needs to step down and let hes deputy mayor finish his run......
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: mike check on 3/30/2008 5:55PM
Kwame Kilpatrick is hip hop.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: iluvbernie on 3/30/2008 4:52PM
This idiot should resign immediately. It sickens me that the people in the audience cannot or will not see what this person is all about, a person who thinks he should not be held accountable for his actions. This person has lied, terminated employees who he felt would put his position in jeopardy, is possibly linked to the death of a stripper(s), and has cost the city of Detroit millions of dollars due to his deceitfulness. In order for the city of Detroit to heal and move on, he must go.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Ebony Bagby on 3/30/2008 7:53PM
Way to go Judge Mathis he is just saying what we all are thinking. Mayor Kilpatrick needs to step down and then move on.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Jarobie Anderson on 3/30/2008 9:07PM
Yo man you got caught, it happens now just be a man step down.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: den of Homer Glen on 3/31/2008 1:23AM
What if he comes up innocent ..??? then what ...
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: 41818028 on 3/31/2008 10:13PM
In my opinion, the reason so many people support the Mayor of Detroit,they are tired of white folks coming on the plantation straighting matters out. It gives the appearence, blacks are not intelligent enough to take care of problems that calls for justice. Lonnie Bates was convicted on Chanel 2 before he got to a Court of Law and Chanel 7 will play a major part in this mayor's fate, all because African-Americans will not support their own news publications and outlets. When others write your story, how do you expect it to end. Detroit is a predominately black city and you do not have a daily black newspaper. So stop whinning. Until American blacks stop depending on other ethenic groups for their daily bread, they will continue to have other groups coming on the plantation telling them what to do and when to do it. As a footnote, Bates and Kilpatrick were wrong, One has already got what he deserved and the other will get the same, however, why does it always have to be the white man, rolling up on the plantation, bringing people to justice. The latter is repeated time and time again. Wake Up!!!!!!!!!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: SCRUGGS BEY on 3/31/2008 4:17AM
aw hell naw the rats are comin out of the closets the world can see every day on that stupid show uncle tom judge mathis is on that he hates any thing assoiated with true realness and asiatic manhood issus like loyalty the media has assainated the mayors charector to a degree but he will rise like cream to the top /watch and see.anybody with good sense can see whats goin down.another black man brought down by the powers that be/oh well guess he was a bit too cocky[smile] I still wish him the best/maybe he can do a TI and buy some justice. either way detroit is gonna be fine. BELIEVE THAT
Reply to this Comment | Report This