Leslie Collins
Northeast News
Feb. 22, 2011

We know you’ve heard a lot about Michael Fletcher and his residency issues. But, what you haven’t heard are the quotable quotes from his hearing.

Here are our favorites. Enjoy.

Key players:
Michael Fletcher, defendant and former candidate for 3rd District City Council
Sharon Sanders Brooks, plaintiff and incumbent for 3rd District City Council
Michael Yonke, Fletcher’s attorney
Clinton James, Brooks’ attorney
Ann Mesle, Jackson County judge
Dan Craig, a witness
…

Fletcher: “I talked to Clinton Adams on an ongoing basis if not twice a month, three times a month, about our fundamental dislike for Sharon (Sanders Brooks), the fact she had to go. We sat in my car and talked about how we had to get rid of Sharon.”
…
Fletcher: “This proceeding here is almost unheard of because of the laws’ intent.”
Judge Mesle: “With all respect, I’ve read the law.”
…
Yonke: “Your attorney had you read Exhibit 8 (Fletcher’s petition for reinstatement) earlier. You said it was signed by Mr. Fletcher, but on the last page, would you tell me who signed that?”
Brooks: “I did not respond to that.”
Yonke: I am asking you to tell the court who signed the document.”
Brooks: “He’s asking about page 9 and I did not respond to that question previously.”
Yonke: “I’m asking you to respond to my question. ”
…
Fletcher: “I have conducted myself with honor and integrity my whole life.”
…
Yonke: “Please turn to page 4 and read the first paragraph. What I didn’t hear you read was the last sentence there. Would you please read that for the court?”
Brooks: “I didn’t read this paragraph.”
Yonke: “I’m asking you to read it now, Ma’m.”
…
Judge Mesle: “Mr. Adams, you’re client wants something.”
Brooks: “Can you get my bag please, my big bag?”
(Adams totes her “big bag” to the stand.)
…
Yonke: “Rev. Finney testified yesterday. Do you know Rev. Finney?”
Brooks: “I know of him.”
Yonke: “He’s a well respected man in this community?”
Brooks: “I know of him.”
Yonke: “Is he a well respected man of the community? Based on yesterday, this can take a real long time or a short time. If you can answer the question, that would be great. Do you know if he’s a well respected man in the community?”
Brooks: “I know of him.”
Yonke: “That is not my question, Ma’m. It’s a yes or no answer.”
Brooks: “I cannot answer that question.”
Yonke: “So, you do not know.”
Brooks: “I cannot answer that question.”
Yonke: “Do you know or do you not know? We can play these games all day long.”
Judge Mesle: “I’m going to ask you to answer the question the best you can.”
Brooks: “I did, Ma’m.”
…
Yonke: “And people can live in separate places. You can have a house in Kansas and you can have a house or apartment in the 3rd District.”
Brooks: “People can do a lot of things.”
Yonke: “And a lot of these things, people can have different houses in different jurisdictions and cities?”
Brooks: “Define people.”
Yonke: “People in general.”
Brooks: “Perhaps.”
Yonke: “Your Honor, we can be here all day.”
Brooks: “I think he’s using semantics to try to trick me.”
…
Yonke: “Have you as a city council person ever received any threats?”
Brooks: “Define threats.”
…
Adams: “Do you know who made threats to Fletcher (during/after the Timothy Wilson trial)?”
Dan Craig: “My impression was it was the law enforcement in the Kansas City Missouri Police Department community.”
Adams: “Are you aware of any law enforcement officer’s harming any citizens?”
Craig: “Well, a group of them shot and killed a 13-year-old boy named Timothy Wilson. Is that good enough for you?”
(Audience claps)
“I think threats were definitely made.”
Adams: “Did he report these threats to law enforcement officials?”
Craig: “Report threats to the Kansas City police from the Kansas City police?”
(Audience claps and laughs)
…
Yonke: “Is your address 2360 E. 12th Street, Unit D?”
Fletcher: “Yes.”
Yonke: “Is that in the 3rd District?”
Fletcher: “I hope so.”
…
Adams: “Have you applied for admission to the California law?”
Fletcher: “Yes.”
Adams: “Was that to establish law (practice) in California?”
Fletcher: “Partly. I took the California Board and passed it.”
Adams: “Congratulations.”
…
Fletcher: “I reside in California. I’ve never said I’m a resident of California ever (in the court document) based upon by California residence.”