A Michigan lawyer and judicial candidate has been charged with domestic violence after allegedly being caught on video beating his girlfriend with a belt, generating controversy over the upcoming November election.
Jason Kolkema, 51, remains on the ballot in the upcoming contest for a judge’s seat on Muskegon County’s 14th Circuit Court.
He has pleaded not guilty to one misdemeanor charge of assault and battery after cellphone videos were given to police in which Kolkema appears to be seen through the floor-to-ceiling windows of his apartment whipping a belt, allegedly hitting his girlfriend, authorities said.
Advocates against domestic violence have protested Kolkema’s campaign. They alleged that he shouldn’t hold judicial office where he could oversee domestic abuse cases.
“I cannot imagine a victim sitting in front of a ‘Jason Kolkema’ and asking him to protect her from an assailant,”Heather Fry, a Muskegon mother and domestic abuse survivor, spoke to the Detroit Free Pressin a story published Friday.
“I’m sorry. We saw what we saw. The video is very damning,”Fry spoke to the news outlet. “It was a violent act meant to instill fear.”
Kolkekma’s attorney and Kolkekma have denied all allegations. They claimed that Kolkekma hit a chair with his belt out of frustration, but did not strike his girlfriend.
She also claimed that she wasn’t hit by the alleged victim.
“I understand that the optics are bad. I understand the anger and disappointment, especially from the people who voted for me and supported me. All of the facts will be revealed in due time”Kolkema posted the following on his Facebook page.
Terry Nelson, defense attorney for Terry Nelson stated at Terry Nelson’s September arraignment. “You have to know what’s going on in the apartment and you don’t. What it appears from 100 feet across the street, two floors down, is not what’s going on in the apartment.”
Prosecutors said that witnesses used their cellphones to record the alleged assault.
Responding to the claims that Kolkema struck the chair and not his girlfriend, Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. According to the news outlet, Hilson stated that this has no legal effect on the case.
“Domestic violence includes violence that can either be physical, or threatened. Contact is not required,”Hilson spoke to the Detroit Free Press. “We’re prepared to try this case if that’s what Mr. Kolkema wishes.”
Kolkema receives $500 cash free of charge and continues his campaign for the office. According to online court records, his trial is set for Nov. 21 after the election.