He's a complete loser.

Kilpatrick is so bad I honestly feel sorry for other Democrats and big city mayors.

All was going smoothly and it seemed that the morass of media, Kilpatrick and Beatty, and their respective attorneys would be shuffling out of the courtroom in no time.

But all that changed with Townsend, who retired from the bench in 2005, after 26 years of service. He filled in this morning for Judge Margie R. Braxton, who is out sick.

Townsend is known to be a maverick in the courtroom, coming down hard on defendants, ignoring sentencing guidelines and even thumbing his nose at the very conservative Michigan Court of Appeals when cases are sent back to him for resentencing.

Townsend, on his own accord, raised the issue of altering bond conditions – prompting the mayor’s attorneys to do just that. Townsend ruled that Kilpatrick’s tether be removed and that he could go to the Democratic National Convention in Denver since he is a super delegate.

Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Lisa Lindsey appeared furious, shouting at Townsend, “I strenuously object.”

But Townsend said, “It doesn’t make any difference how much you strenuously object.”

Townsend’s order stood for about three hours. From 10am to 1pm Kilpatrick was tether free.

But that changed when special assistant Doug Baker went before Detroit 36th District Court Judge Ronald Giles. Giles had ruled last week in a separate felony case that the mayor be tethered, travel only in the tri-county area and post a $2,500 cash bond. Kilpatrick was charged with assault and obstruction of justice for allegedly assaulting court officers attempting to serve a subpoena in his perjury case.

At an informal hearing this afternoon, Giles put Kilpatrick back on a tether and reinstated the other bond conditions.

If Kilpatrick wants to attend the convention in Denver, his attorneys will have to make that request to Giles.

I hope Holly isn't pushing the guilt by association again…