Kinloch preaches second chances, addresses decades-old assault case
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Solomon Kinloch Jr. speaks during a mayoral candidate debate in May. Photo: Courtesy of the Detroit Regional Chamber via Flickr
The Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. — one of the frontrunners in the Detroit mayoral race — pleaded guilty in 1994 to assaulting his then-wife, an event from his past that resurfaced last week, just before early voting started.
The big picture: Kinloch's campaign says the Triumph Church pastor has ministered on redemption and led a life of service in the decades since the 30-year-old incident, adding that it was political rivals indulging in "poli-tricks" who had brought it up amid voting.
- The primary is Aug. 5 and the two highest vote-getters will proceed to the general election.
What they're saying: "... 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," the campaign said in a statement. "Pastor Kinloch preaches about second chances, forgiveness, and accepting that no one is perfect."
- Kinloch's city policy goals include helping people who have been incarcerated reintegrate into society, and offering second chances.
- The campaign said the case was discussed during Kinloch's hiring as senior pastor at Triumph Church, where he began preaching in 1998 and has since grown the congregation to around 40,000 members.
The latest: A post on Kinloch's X account showed a video of Kinloch's sermon over the weekend after the news stories posted last week, with those in the congregation giving him a standing ovation, and he saying, "Amen. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm trying to keep it together … Thank you for knowing who I am."
In March 1993, the Oakland County prosecutor's office charged Kinloch with felonious assault against his then-wife.
- A month earlier, Southfield police responded to an incident and found Kinloch's then-wife with a bleeding finger, a cut on her head, scratches on her face and a foot so swollen that she couldn't walk on it, according to court records obtained by Axios.
Kinloch pleaded guilty in April 1994 to assault and battery, a misdemeanor. He was placed on probation for one year and ordered to complete mental health treatment and attend a spousal abuse program.
- Kinloch was discharged from probation in November 1995 after the supervision was extended six months because he didn't fulfill his obligations as ordered.
Kinloch, 52, later divorced and is now remarried, with a son, per the Free Press' report.