UPDATE — Late development in the Kilpatrick case reported this afternoon by contributor Minehaha Forman: Christine Beatty, former chief of staff to Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, was ordered to wear an electronic tether Friday after making plans to leave the state without notifying court officials, as it was required by her bond, according to the Wayne County prosecutor’s office.

Chief Magistrate Steve Lockhart called a hurried hearing in 36th District Court, where he made the ruling, the prosecutor’s office said in a  statement. The new ruling will prohibit Beatty from leaving the state.

The entire hearing was closed to the public, causing an upset among local news media. The 36th District Court Chief Judge Marylin Atkins said she instructed Lockhart afterwards not to lock the public out of future hearings.

Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is charged with eight felony counts, including perjury and conspiracy, in connection with a police whistleblower lawsuit.  In the last few days, the mayor’s legal team has been busy, as have those trying to steer the city through the crisis.  Here’s a look at key recent developments:

  • Wayne County Circuit Judge Robert Colombo Jr. ruled on Thursday that Kilpatrick and his former chief of staff, Christine Beatty, can  become parties  in the legal fight over pubic disclosure of their text messages about the whistleblower case.  The Detroit Free Press had filed a  Freedom of Information suit to obtain more of the text messages. The decision, which  gives Kilpatrick and Beatty legal status to argue their positions,  means the judge could order them  to turn over the text messages without violating federal privacy regulations concerning electronic messages.

  • Colombo also unsealed the Sept. 19 closed city hall session, in which city attorneys and the Detroit City Council discussed the $8.4  million settlement in the whistleblower suit by two police officers who were fired by the mayor, reputedly for investigating a party at the mayor’s mansion and other personal business. Council members have said they were not told about the secret agreement to keep the text messages hidden as part of the settlement.

  • U.S. District Judge Gerald Rosen has scheduled an April 14 hearing on a motion to halt the lawsuit brought by Jonathan Bond, the son of slain stripper Tamara Greene. The city has asked that the lawsuit be suspended until the investigation into Greene’s death is completed and the criminal cases against Kilpatrick and Beatty are finished. Rosen also will address the city’s request for a gag order at the hearing. Greene reportedly was at the mayor’s party. She was found dead two weeks later.

  • On Wednesday, nearly all 18 presidents of local chapters of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Detroit’s largest employee union, said they want Kilpatrick to resign. Chairman Leamon Wilson said union leaders think Kilpatrick should quit because the possibility of his conviction and subsequent ouster will undermine upcoming collective-bargaining talks when the current agreement expires June 30. The local presidents have not formally voted on the issue. AFSCME represents about one-quarter of all city workers.

  • Also on Wednesday, Detroit City Council President Ken Cockrel, Jr., said he is considering a run for mayor in 2009. If Kilpatrick were to leave office before his term expires, Cockrel would become mayor under the city charter.