S.F. Inmates Say That Bruise Ross Mirkarimi Gave His Wife Is No Misdemeanor

By Erin Sherbert Tue., Jul. 3 2012 at 2:42 PM

Categories: WTF?

Inmates feel an unusual bond to their sheriff

Sheriff-in-limbo Ross Mirkarimi might have lost a friend or two after pleading guilty to false imprisonment in connection to a domestic dispute with his wife, which left her with a bruise on her arm. But, strangely, it's also helped him make some new friends over at the county jail.

Perhaps convicted criminals and inmates aren't the sort of company you would expect the county sheriff to keep, but still, Mirkarimi could use all the support he can get right now.

We received a kind and thoughtful letter from prisoner Raymond Raymond, who penned his argument as to why "squeezing your lady's arm" is no misdemeanor. The letter, dated May 25, was CC'd to Mayor Ed Lee, informing the city's CEO that nearly everyone locked up behind bars supports Mirkarimi, who is trying desperately to hold onto his post as sheriff.

According to Raymond's six-page letter, which was purportedly signed by 20-plus inmates:

"Nearly everyone in jail feels Mr. Mirkarimi squeezing his lady's arm doesn't even constitute a misdemeanor, even though it behooves them both to not do that...The controversy over Ross Mirkarimi is not substantial enough to brow-beat-it."

Mayor Lee suspended Mirkarimi without pay after he pleaded guilty to the domestic violence charges in March. He had asked Mirkarimi to leave his post permanently, but the newly minted sheriff refused. So the mayor turned this matter over to the Ethics Commission, essentially calling Mirkarimi a wife beater. The Ethics Commission is currently hearing the case and will decide whether Mirkarimi should be booted from his position for good.

Plenty of Mirkarimi's progressive allies have either distanced themselves or dumped him over this issue, leaving only a small legion of really progressive people to rally behind the beleaguered sheriff. And while Mirkarimi has seemingly lost everything for now -- contact with his wife, the chance to see his 3-year-old son, and his paycheck -- inmates over at county jail wanted him to know who his true friends are:

"We'd like to see Mr. Mirkarimi know our voices join the support for him, and when he can, he can come by and see how we've taken care of the place."

But Mirkarimi probably already knows how nice the jail cells are there, considering he was booked into the county jail himself.

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Tags:

local inmates, Mayor Ed Lee, Raymond Raymond, Ross Mirkarimi, true friends

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JC Court

Today's headline: "City Attorney Shoots Down Mirkarimi's Request For Perjury Investigation" Guess who the crooks are? This is beyond belief. Thanks.

ol salty

oh yeah, just ask the jailed and inprisoned their "expert" opinions. if those who opined had any legal expertise, then its likely few of them would be residing in county or state facilities.

Patrick Connors

There's another perjury allegation today. That makes TWO. Or three if you count the lie about definitely not running for Mayor. Hey - we can't necessarily choose our talents. Some people are good at being caretakers....and some people are good at telling lies. Go with what you know!

buzzgirl

As an FYI, "prison inmates", as they are referred to on the top stories ticker, are not the same as county jail inmates. Do you really not know the difference between state prison and county jail?

Patrick Connors

YOU FOUND OUT!?!?! It's true. We all have been paid hourly for appearing at the Ethics Commission hearing. I just went out and bought a new car and took Rose Pak out to dinner with the money I made from attending last Thursday and Friday alone. The pay is excellent! Plus we have a rooftop garden and our own bus route!!

It's well established that people will do anything for money.

Birds of a feather flock together!

Akvan

I had a girlfriend who used to bite during passion. Should she be put away too? That would have got me really mad.

Akvan

Really? That is one law that is brain dead. To any intelligent person "how hard" is exactly the critical matter which makes the difference. Only Nancy Lemon and other fanatics miss the obvious. I much rather be touched by a feather than hit by an hammer. Anyone who does not see the difference needs to get a reality update. Radial fanatics are trying to redefine reality and it will fail. Because reality has a way of asserting itself.

Akvan

Mirkarimi was not in jail he got "credit" for one day which is not the same thing. This whole thing is another smear job to make it sound like "prisoners" support him. The media knows no shame and that is one reason I gave up my cable TV. Why bother to pay for *** when I get it for free from the sewer?

Anonymous

The media is ridiculous and frequently not truthful. There is an article w/a headline suggesting the Mayor Lee perjured himself. But upon reading the article, it is clear that it is highly unlikely that the allegation is true (in that the person who reported the lie had no personal knowledge and the person with personal knowledge denied the lie.) Such complete and total garbage. Can't we just get some reporting on facts please?

Logan The Huge

Too bad the SF Weekly didn't ask someone from Department 24 what they were convicted of. (BTW it doesn't matter how hard you touch someone, if it is considered offensive it is Battery)