Detroit mayor pleads not guilty

DETROIT, March 25 (UPI) -- Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick pleaded not guilty Tuesday to perjury and other charges related to his testimony and actions in a police whistle-blower's case.

Defense attorneys also notified the court of two possible conflicts of interest -- one involving a lawyer representing both Kilpatrick and his former chief of staff Christine Beatty in a related civil matter.

The second potential conflict is "there's one, possibly two sitting judges of the court that may be witnesses," the defense team told the judge. The possibility of judges testifying raises the the possibility of the criminal case not being heard in Wayne County.

Kilpatrick was released on a $5,000 personal bond. Because of Kilpatrick's position, the judge said, "the defendant will have the right to travel anywhere in the United States without (getting) permission but with advance notice."

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy charged Kilpatrick and Beatty Tuesday with 12 counts of perjury, obstruction of justice, misconduct in office and conspiracy, among other charges, arising from text messages indicating the pair lied during last year's police whistle-blower trial when they denied having an extramarital affair.

Just before Kilpatrick's arraignment hearing Tuesday, Beatty pleaded not guilty.