FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES

Kym Worthy

What's an endorsement worth? It all depends on who it's from, pundits say. Former Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Karen McDonald, who is challenging Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper in the Democratic primary next August, is wracking up some impressive endorsements – including a Cooper nemesis, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy (D), who has gained some national fame for finding and tackling some 9,000 untested rape kits left gathering dust for years on shelves. It appears Cooper and Worthy have clashed over the years they both have been the top prosecutor of their fiefdoms, notably on cases including the Oakland County Child Killer. Cooper views it as an active case and is keeping investigative details secret and Worthy says let the families see what you've got. McDonald, a former assistant prosecutor, is likely going after Cooper on drug courts and juvenile lifer positions, but Cooper, a former district, circuit and Michigan Appeals Court judge, will not be a pushover.