East Chicago, Ind. Council Ousts Jailed Colleague
(CBS) -- The city council in East Chicago, Ind. has voted unanimously to remove a fellow council member who is in jail and accused of murder and federal drug charges.
While East Chicago Councilman Robert Battle was waiting for his trial, he was re-elected last November to a four-year term -- while he was incarcerated.
He ran unopposed.
"This is another black eye on Lake County, Indiana. I mean, how many individuals have we had indicted, convicted and thrown out of office?" says John Buncich, chairman of the Democratic Party of Lake County and Lake County Sheriff.
He says he's glad the East Chicago City Council took action to oust Battle.
"They found some loophole in the law. And I'm very happy that they did take this action. He's going to be removed," Buncich says.
He says as soon as he gets formal notification of Battle's ouster, he has 30 days to set a date for the democratic precinct committeemen to choose a new councilman.
Councilman Battle's sister represented him at today's council meeting. Reports say she indicated she will appeal Battle's ouster.