This week, Detroit Police Chief Ella Bully-Cummings told reporters that Bowman's accusations were "reprehensible," and that "there is no cover-up in this police department into the death of Miss Greene."
Called the nation's "hip-hop mayor," Kilpatrick at one time faced a bright political future. Many people -- particularly his mother, Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-Mich.) -- predicted that the charismatic attorney could win a seat in Congress, or be the first black president.
But his reputation was overshadowed by scandal, including a series of police whistle-blower lawsuits.
Last year, after a jury sided against the city in one of the suits, Kilpatrick convinced the City Council to approve an $8.4-million settlement with three police whistle-blowers.
Part of the deal that the council did not know about but that was reportedly approved by the city attorney: that proof of the text messages showing the mayor and Beatty lied under oath about their romantic relationship was to be concealed.
The affair was first reported in the Detroit Free Press in January, after investigative reporters obtained almost 14,000 text messages sent from, and received by, Beatty's city-owned pager in 2002 and 2003.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy opened an investigation into possible perjury and other charges against the mayor.
The investigation, expected to be completed next week, and the mayor's troubles have galvanized this blue-collar community.
At a City Council meeting this week, angry residents clutching handwritten speeches crammed inside the public chambers to voice their views about the mayor.
"He has disgraced my race, and he is no longer able to carry on as mayor of this city," said one resident, retired city schoolteacher Hattie Massey, 73.
Jonathan Bond was 10 when his mother was killed. Jonathan's father, Ernest Flagg, filed the lawsuit on behalf of his son. His family has told him to let the case go.
Flagg recently moved his family out of Detroit, after their home was broken into and trashed.
"I had to move," said Flagg, 35, a business consultant. "I also have to do this. What kind of a man am I teaching him to be, if I don't fight?"
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p.j.huffstutter@latimes.com
