Spence-Jones Gets Help in Seat Battle
Voters join suspended pol's suit vs. Gov. Crist
Michelle Spence-Jones
Suspended Miami pol Michelle Spence-Jones is getting a little more help in her never-ending fight to get back her commission seat.
Five voters, with the help of the ACLU of Florida, have joined the lawsuit Spence-Jones filed against Gov. Charlie Crist earlier this month after he suspended her from her seat.
It was the second time Spence-Jones was suspended from the District 5 seat by Crist. The first suspension came in November, when Spence-Jones turned herself in to authorities to face charges of grand theft. The second suspension came two weeks ago, after Spence-Jones won back her seat in a special election.
Spence-Jones had plead not guilty to a grand theft charge, and has steadfastly maintained her innocence throughout the ordeal.
Late Tuesday night, the city commission appointed Rev. Richard P. Dunn to fill the open seat. Dunn had finished second to Spence-Jones in the special election.
"Governor Crist has no authority to strip the voters of District 5 of their chosen representative," said the ACLU's Muslima Lewis, in a released statement. "The Governor is trampling on the rights of voters who elected Spence Jones back into office with full knowledge of the charges against her. She is innocent until proven guilty."
The trial date is set for Feb. 23.
Posted Friday, Jan 29, 2010 - 12:12 PM EST
