Embattled Huntsville City Councilman Devyn Keith made his first public comments Thursday at the outset of the council meeting, promising to be a better man going forward and apologizing to everyone for the “spotlight” he has brought upon himself.

Keith, arrested twice in the last week on shoplifting charges, said he would not discuss any aspect of the case. He said those questions will be answered in court.

“The longest week of my life,” Keith said in beginning his statement.

Keith spoke without notes in an even, calm voice as he addressed a city council chambers in which virtually every seat was filled and others stood near the doorway. He spoke for just over four minutes.

Keith gave no indication he was considering resigning, telling constituents to still feel free to call him if their garbage is late getting picked up or if their street needs to be paved.

At the end of his statement, he said he was recusing himself from the rest of the meeting. He stood from his seat at the end of the dais and walked out of the chambers with an escort from Huntsville police. Keith took no questions.

Keith left the meeting before a resolution he was listed on the agenda to present recognizing Turkmenistan Diplomats.

This is a developing story and will be updated.