Man charged in incident during mayor’s speech

The man who allegedly disrupted Kansas City Mayor Sly James’ State of the City speech on Tuesday was charged Wednesday with two misdemeanors.

Derron L. Black, 31, was charged with third-degree assault on a law enforcement officer and with obstructing government operations, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

As the mayor was giving his speech before an audience of about 250 people at the Gem Theater, a man went on stage and commandeered the microphone. The court file alleges that when the mayor’s police-provided bodyguard, Marlon Buie, grabbed him, Black resisted Buie by punching and swinging his arms.

Buie suffered a cut on his neck and bruising on his arm. He was treated at North Kansas City Hospital on Tuesday.

Black posted bond on Wednesday and was released from jail. He could not be reached for comment.

According to the court record, Black acknowledged in a statement to police that he interrupted the mayor by throwing a flag to the floor and yelling obscenities.

On Tuesday night, a statement was posted on YouTube that purported to be an apology from Black.

“This is Derron Black,” the audio segment said, adding that he was in the jail at police headquarters. “I’m just reflecting on all today’s events, and I would just like to apologize to all my fellow Kansas Citians for being disrespectful and disruptive today.”

The statement went on to challenge James “about the true reality of the condition of the people east of Troost or just throughout Kansas City in general.”

The mayor was not harmed and went on to finish his speech, which tried to highlight progress in the city over the past year.

Black was an unsuccessful candidate last year for a seat representing Missouri House District 23.

This story was originally published March 20, 2013 at 11:51 AM with the headline "Man charged in incident during mayor’s speech."