A white police officer, Sgt. Joseph Chavalia, was charged with negligent homicide in the death of Tarika Wilson, 26, who, according to her family, was an unarmed, innocent bystander killed in a January SWAT raid, and negligent assault in the wounding of her 1-year-old son, Sincere, whose finger had to be amputated.

Chavalia pleaded not guilty to both misdemeanors. If convicted, he would face a maximum of eight months in jail.

According to an Associated Press article, the NAACP office in Lima, OH, said the charges should have been more serious:

“Any time a man shoots through a baby and kills an unarmed woman, and is charged with two misdemeanors, I think it would be an understatement to say that that’s unacceptable,” said Jason Upthegrove, Lima NAACP president.

The Detroit City Council voted 7-1 to call for the resignation of its mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick amid a text-message scandal.

Kilpatrick dismissed the non-binding vote and has continually vowed not to resign.

“My reaction is, OK, now since it’s over, it has no effect, it’s not binding, let’s get back to work,” he told reporters Tuesday afternoon. “I don’t blame anybody on council. The incredible scrutiny and overwhelming pressure of the media — you all are something — it’s probably tough for anybody there.”

The resolution cites 33 reasons for Kilpatrick to quit and also claims his administration has failed to govern effectively.

Marking the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, President Bush acknowledged debate of the conflict but stressed the importance of a U.S. presence.

“Five years into this battle, there is an understandable debate over whether the war was worth fighting, whether the fight is worth winning, and whether we can win it,” Bush said in a speech at The Pentagon Wednesday morning. “The answers are clear to me: removing Saddam Hussein from power was the right decision — and this is a fight America can and must win.

“Five years ago tonight, I promised the American people that in the struggle ahead ‘we will accept no outcome but victory.’ Today, standing before men and women who helped liberate a nation, I reaffirm the commitment. The battle in Iraq is noble, it is necessary, and it is just. And with your courage, the battle in Iraq will end in victory.”

[ Read the speech in its entirety.]