Mich. Democrat Ex-Chair Cleared of Charge

[Rose Siding]

DETROIT - A judge threw out a solicitation charge against the former state Democratic Party chairman Friday, ruling that sheriff's deputies did not have the authority to stop his car.

"I'm glad it's over. It's been devastating. The recovery has begun," Melvin "Butch" Hollowell said after the court hearing.

He had pleaded not guilty after the Aug. 17 incident. The charge was upheld in district court, but Hollowell appealed to Wayne County Circuit Court.

Defense attorney Cornelius Pitts argued that the deputy, who cited Hollowell after seeing a woman get into his car, did not see any sexual activity, hear any financial propositions or witness any illegal activity between Hollowell and the woman. The attorney also argued that sheriff's deputies cannot enforce city ordinances unless they are pursuing a suspect or working with city police.
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Hollowell left his Democratic Party post to become an unpaid adviser to John Kerry (news - web sites)'s national legal team, but stepped down after he was issued the solicitation citation. He also resigned from the Michigan Civil Rights Commission and a Detroit law firm

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