a tale of two press conferences

Two noteworthy press conferences today: The City of Detroit formally charging the Mayor of Detroit with perjury and obstruction of justice, among other counts, and the Mayor’s press conference responding to the charges.

The first was delivered by Kym L. Worthy, the Wayne County prosecutor. The prepared remarks were perhaps too long, but they served to convey the thought and care that went into the investigation, along with the seriousness of the charges and the thoroughness of the investigation. The Q&A was most entertaining, as Ms. Worthy provided direct, succinct (borderline terse) answers to all questions posed.

The second featured prepared remarks by both Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his attorney. The Mayor’s quickly devolved into yet another State of the City address; his attorney’s seemed ill-prepared and meandering. The Mayor left the room when his remarks concluded, taking no questions. His attorney fielded a few questions from reporters but pointed out that the Mayor would not be holding future press conferences during the course of the trial. They arrived more than 45 minutes late and had not yet reviewed the formal charges, which Ms. Worthy provided at the conclusion of her press conference.

My reaction: The prosecutor’s office came loaded for bear. The Mayor scurried off to hibernate. Ms. Worthy was deliberate, thorough and in control. Mr. Kilpratick’s presser was a metaphorical deer in the headlights.