May 18, 2013 11:37 AM UTC

At Least He's Not Your Guilty City Councilman

• 9 Comments
• by: Colorado Pols

That is, unless you live in Grand Junction, Colorado. The Sentinel's Paul Shockley reports on the final disposition in the domestic violence case against newly sworn-in City Councilor Rick Brainard:

Grand Junction City Councilor Rick Brainard pleaded guilty Friday after a thwarted bid to end his domestic-violence case with something less than a guilty plea.

Brainard, 51, tried to plead “no contest” under a deal with the Mesa County District Attorney’s Office in which he would have been placed on a deferred judgment and sentence for 18 months, aside from a suspended jail sentence. Brainard sought permission to travel out-of-state…

“I will not accept a nolo contendere plea,” the judge said. “It’s guilty or not guilty.”

And with that, Brainard was left with little choice but to plead guilty to misdemeanor assault. He received an 18 month suspended sentence, with a domestic violence screening and community service. If Brainard successfully completes these requirements, he can get the conviction expunged from his criminal record.

As far as the public record is concerned, what's done is done.

Shockley reports that another contingent of taped-mouth women protesters was present as yesterday's hearing. It still appears Brainard intends to live this conviction down and remain on the city council, but either way the difference between a nolo contendere and a guilty plea wouldn't have helped his popularity much with them.

Laiche acknowledged his client “at some point and time needs to apologize to her.”

…When confronted by an officer with details about the incident, Brainard admitted he’d grabbed her, pushed on her chest, pulled her hair and slapped her on the left side of her neck and cheek area, according to the affidavit. Brainard told the officer he slapped the woman because she needed to “shut her mouth,” the affidavit said. [Pols emphasis]

This isn't some indiscretion in the distant past–Brainard assaulted this woman three days after winning office. As we've said previously, the indifference shown by Brainard in taking office after this is something we don't think would would be tolerated in many other parts of the state–and points to a, for lack of a better word, dysfunction in the culture of beet-red Mesa County, Colorado. Where are the civic leaders to say "enough, Mr. Brainard?"

Each day is a welcome fresh opportunity to prove us wrong.