Ken Cockrel Takes Oath of Office Early DETROIT (Associated Press) -

Detroit's next mayor has taken the oath of office, but it won't become effective until 12:01 a.m. Friday.

Ken Cockrel Jr. released a statement saying he took the oath in a private ceremony at 4:25 p.m. Wednesday in the Detroit city clerk's office.

Cockrel, president of the City Council, is moving up with the departure of Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, whose last day is Thursday.

When Cockrel talked to reporters earlier Wednesday, he didn't share his plan for taking the oath just three hours later. He plans to hold a public ceremony Friday.

Kilpatrick is giving up his job after pleading guilty to two felonies on Sept. 4. He's agreed to serve 120 days in jail and must pay a $1 million fine.
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