Chief Craig Furious After Terror Charged Dropped Against Man Who Spray Painted 'Kill All Police'

DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit Police Chief James Craig is not happy after a terrorism charge was dismissed against a man accused of making threats against officers.

Stuart Horatio Lewis of Detroit in October allegedly spray painted graffiti that read: "Kill all police" and "Kill James Craig" on a building in the 200 block of W. State Fair in Detroit.

He was initially charged with one count of with threat of terrorism, a felony with a penalty of up to 20 years; possession with intent to deliver marijuana, a felony with a penalty of up to four years; and malicious destruction of a building, a misdemeanor with a penalty of 93 days. The terror charge was dropped, with Judge Deborah Lewis Langston contending that there was no clear intent to carry out the threat.

Craig told reporters at Detroit Police Headquarters on Wednesday that the judge made a critical mistake.

"Judge Langston, an 18-year member of the bench, missed an opportunity to send a unified message that threats against police officers will not be tolerated," Craig said.

"What we've done in effect — and this is my message to Judge Langston — this has a de facto way of empowering suspects who threaten, who shoot at police officers."

Craig brought up a couple of similar instances in Macomb and Oakland counties in which the charges did stick. In one particular case cited by Craig, in which a Royal Oak doctor allegedly threatened to kill government officials, prosecutors said there was a need to be "proactive" — rather than "wait around to see what might transpire."

The chief said we need a united front in protecting police officers, adding that he hopes the dropping of the terror charge in this case doesn't put criminals' minds that they can get away with threatening police.

Lewis, meantime, was bound over on unrelated felonious assault and firearm charges after allegedly attacking a man when his car was being repossessed. Released on bond with a GPS tether, he will be back in court Tuesday, Dec. 20 on both cases.