DETROIT – The mayoral campaign of Triumph megachurch pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr. is responding after reports emerged that he was convicted of domestic assault.
The case dates back to 1993, more than 30 years ago.
As you can imagine, the responses on Friday (July 25) have been mixed. All because of these court documents, which brought a great deal to light.
“Once a woman beater, always a woman beater,” said Jera Justice.
The news of Kinloch Jr.’s 1993 domestic incident, when he was only 19, continues to shock voters who will soon be heading to the polls to choose Detroit’s next mayor.
Many are now wondering if Kinloch Jr. is the man for the job.
“No one should run a city after doing something like that; he’ll probably do it again,” said Briaunna Justice.
Local 4 obtained court documents that show Kinloch Jr. pleaded guilty to assaulting his then-wife multiple times at their apartment in Southfield.
“If this happened over 30 years ago, who knows, he might have redeemed himself,” said Michael Henderson.
The incident report claims that after an argument, Kinloch Jr. threw glass at his then-wife and then used a knife to both intimidate and beat her to the point where police had to come out.
When cops made it to the apartment, they found the woman with scratches all over her body, she was bleeding from a cut on one of her hands, and could barely walk because the glass that was thrown at her had hit her foot.
With such a following in Detroit, despite the allegations, many people are still in the pastor’s corner.
“I think that he’s the perfect man for the job. Everybody has a past. He’s just perfect. He’s been doing everything he needed to do to help the city out before this came out,” said Keith Tucker.
Originally, Kinloch Jr. was arrested and charged with felonious assault, but that’s before the charge was reduced to assault and battery.
At first, he was supposed to serve only 12 months of probation, but ended up serving an additional six months for failing to receive counseling, which was a violation.
The couple would eventually divorce a few years later.
“You know, everybody deserves a second chance, because all of us have skeletons in the closet,” Henderson said.
A spokesperson representing Kinloch Jr. released a statement.
“More than 30 years ago, as a 19-year-old, Pastor Kinloch made a mistake. He’s never attempted to hide it or run from it.
Rather, he has discussed it as part of his ministry and used it to help put countless others on the path to redemption.
Pastor Kinloch preaches about second chances, forgiveness, and accepting that no one is perfect.
Political rivals bringing this 30-year-old incident up while people are voting is poli-tricks, but we will remain focused on delivering for Detroit, investing in neighborhoods, not just downtown, attacking poverty, and creating opportunity for all Detroiters.”
Spokesperson representing Kinlock Jr.