Charges Against Hollowell Thrown Out

[NWHarkness]

DETROIT -- A judge threw out a solicitation charge Friday against former Michigan Democratic Party chairman Melvin "Butch" Hollowell.

Circuit Court Judge Prentis Edwards said Wayne County sheriff's deputies did not have the authority to issue a citation to Hollowell (pictured, left) on Aug. 17 near his home in Detroit's exclusive Palmer Woods neighborhood.

"He didn't think there was probable cause for the particlar stopping and arresting," said Cornelius Pitts, a lawyer for Hollowell. "We don't think that the proper procedure was followed in writing the citation."

Hollowell, a longtime fixture in state Democratic politics, was issued a citation accusing him of soliciting a prostitute after deputies saw Hollowell pick up a woman. They followed him briefly before making the stop.

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/4082742/detail.html