DA Smith Wins on One Count, But Passes on 'Whistleblower' Bad Check Claims
The trial against Downtown Jackson Partners President Ben Allen wound up on Feb. 7, even as the woman who landed him there remained conspicuously absent from the courtroom.
Mayor Yarber, Socrates Garrett Address Contracting Dispute, 'Steering'
Mayor Tony Yarber and his administration recently became defendants in another sexual-harassment lawsuit, this time saddled with charges of steering city contracts to campaign supporters.
UPDATED: Jury Finds Allen Guilty for Cell-phone Payment, Not Guilty on Nine Counts
The jury in the trial of Downtown Jackson Partners President Ben Allen found him guilty on one count, not guilty on nine others after six hours of deliberation.
Allen Trial: Defense Rests After Making Case DJP Doesn’t Collect 'Taxes’
Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith spent the morning attempting to attack several aspects of Downtown Jackson Partners attorney Robert Gibbs, during the fifth day of testimony in the trial of DJP President Ben Allen for allegedly embezzling and mishandling public resources.
DJP Board Attorney Gibbs Takes Stand to Defend Ben Allen's Actions
Robert Gibbs, the attorney for Downtown Jackson Partners, took the stand this morning in the trial of DJP President Ben Allen in the same courtroom where he presided as a Hinds County circuit judge for more then seven years.
Woman Sues City of Jackson, Alleges Pay-to-Play Scheme, Sexual Harassment
Mayor Tony Yarber and the City of Jackson are facing another lawsuit alleging sexual harassment from a former employee, except this time the former Equal Business Opportunity manager asserts that she “was unwittingly caught up in” a “pay-to-play” scheme for lucrative contracts.
'Never in This Courtroom': Allen Trial Twists, Turns with Accuser Absent
Over the last two days, the prosecution tried hard to convince a Hinds County jury that President Ben Allen mishandled public money while leading the Downtown Jackson Partners business improvement district.
Hinds, Rankin Battle for Wastewater Treatment
The City of Jackson's monopoly on wastewater treatment for the region lost ground last week as a Rankin chancery court agreed with an earlier decision to allow the West Rankin Utility Authority to build its own wastewater-treatment facility on the Pearl River.
UPDATED: In Allen Trial, DA Argues that DJP Funds Are Public
The trial of Downtown Jackson Partners President Ben Allen began this morning with opening statements and testimony from an attorney who formerly worked with the state auditor's office asserting the money DJP collects from downtown property owners is public money.
UPDATED: 'Kingmaker' Bickers' Name Surfaces in Atlanta Bribery, Intimidation Investigation
A well-known and nationally recognized political operative that Mayor Tony Yarber refers to as a "kingmaker," Mitzi Bickers, has been mentioned in connection to a federal bribery investigation into the Atlanta, Ga., municipal government.
Press Room in Capitol Free and Open, for the Moment
The status of media access to parts of the Mississippi Capitol has been unclear so far this legislative session.
Ben Allen’s Defense Hangs on DJP’s Public/Private Status
Whether Downtown Jackson Partners is public or private, governmental or nonprofit, is a pivotal issue in the case against indicted DJP President Ben Allen.
Mo’ Money for Streets This Year?
Jackson legislators are working with city leaders to bridge the gap between needed infrastructure improvements totaling over $1 billion, and the City's tight budget.
John Horhn Promises 'Results' in Jackson Mayoral Announcement
Sen. John Horhn, D-Jackson, publicly placed his hat in the ring, once again, for mayor of the City of Jackson, turning widespread rumors into reality.
UPDATED: City Selects Blogger 'Kingfish' Hendrix, 'Snakeman' Percy King for Jackson Zoo Board
James Hendrix, a local blogger and controversial personality known for his Jackson Jambalaya website, is one of two candidates up today for two spots on the Jackson Zoo's board of directors.
Hendrix Emphasizes Infrastructure, Legislation for City
It is time to leverage Jackson's 1-percent sales-tax allocation to draw in funds to address the city's infrastructure, Council President Tyrone Hendrix of Ward 6 said this morning. In fact, it should have occurred years ago, he said.
At-Risk Youth Diversion Program Rolls Out, But Funds Already in Jeopardy
At-risk youth have a new alternative in counties across Mississippi called the Community Youth Career Development Center.
‘Juror No. 4’ Causes AG v. DA Kerfuffle; Both Want Jury Back Now
The Mississippi attorney general’s office wants the jury from Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith’s trial back, this time to get to the bottom of why it ended in a mistrial.
UPDATED: DA Smith Puts Ben Allen on Trial Jan. 30, DJP Suing 'Whistleblower' Claiming Forged Checks
The trial of Downtown Jackson Partners President Ben Allen, who faces 10 counts, including embezzling a 1989 Chevy truck and tens of thousands of dollars from the business improvement district, is set to begin Jan. 30.
The District Attorney's Mistrial: What Just Happened? A Day-by-Day Primer
The Mississippi attorney general's prosecution of Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith for conspiracy to hinder prosecution in order to aid or assist a defendant ended in a mistrial on Jan. 4, 2017, in Special Judge Larry Roberts' courtroom.
Mrs. Haynes: Nagging The Mayor Works
Ruth Haynes said that when she gets home from the senior-citizen center, she immediately begins planning out what she is going to wear the next day, preparing so that she doesn't miss her ride in the morning.
UPDATED: New Jackson Infrastructure Bill; Virgi Lindsay to Run for Ward 7 Seat
During a small informal community meeting this morning, Mississippi Sen. David Blount, D-Jackson, explained a proposed bill to send an additional $24 million in tax revenue back to Jackson's crumbling infrastructure, administered through the Mississippi Department of Administration and Finance.
Broadening the Tent: Lumumba Vows to Gain, Give Respect as Mayor
Chokwe Antar Lumumba says that addressing crime in a comprehensive way means getting to the core systemic issues that lead to many of Jackson's problems, including poverty and a lack of economic opportunity.
Mistrial for Smith, But Bribery Question Lingers
The trial of Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith for conspiracy to hinder prosecution by aiding or assisting a defendant ended last week with a mistrial after a simple note sent two-and-a-half weeks of legal wrangling spiraling.
UPDATED: Ben Allen Trial Set for Jan. 30; Hinds DA Indicted Him, State Investigators
The trial of Downtown Jackson Partners Executive Director Ben Allen, who has been accused on 10 counts, including embezzling a 1989 Chevy truck and tens of thousands of dollars from the development group, is set to begin Jan. 30.
Man Charged with Murdering Teen Granted $50K Bond, Gag Order Possible
The man charged with killing 17-year-old Charles McDonald outside his business, Performance Oil, ini south Jackson is requesting bail after his Dec. 29 arrest for first-degree murder. A judge granted a $50,000 bond for Parish on Jan. 10.
UPDATED: Judge Sets DA's New Trial for June 12 after Mistrial, Hood Slams Dishonesty of Juror
The jury in the State of Mississippi case against Hinds District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith only deliberated about three hours before the judge declared a mistrial at about 4 p.m. today.
No Dismissal, a Judge and an Inmate in Smith Trial
The exact extent to which a prosecutor can go to prove his claim that a prisoner is innocent is central to the State trial of Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith.
Former Butler Prosecutor Says DA Smith Fired Her Over Case
Former Assistant District Attorney Gale Walker took the stand Tuesday afternoon to testify against Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith, who is accused of trying to help an indicted man, Christopher Butler, stay out of jail. During the prosecution’s rebuttal stage, Walker told the jury of her time prosecuting Butler on drug charges, saying she believed she had a strong case against him until the DA removed her.
Man Indicted for 1st-degree Murder of Teen in September, Arrested Dec. 29
The Hinds County Sheriff’s Department arrested Wayne Mitchell Parish of Crystal Springs on Dec. 29 for the alleged murder of 17-year-old Charles McDonald in the parking lot of Performance Oil on McDowell Road on July 21, the teenager’s mother told the Jackson Free Press.
City Gives $105,000 Back to Arts Council; Homeless, Senior Funds Cut
After facing cuts, the Greater Jackson Arts Council grew by $105,000 after the Jackson City Council voted Tuesday, Dec. 27, to restore one of the cuts to the local Department of Human and Cultural Services, which administers the yearly municipal allocation to the arts organization.
Judge Weill Takes Stand in DA Trial, Followed by Political Gadfly
A sitting Hinds County Circuit Court Judge took the stand this morning in the trial of Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith, despite his attorney's strenuous objections, testifying to his history with Smith.
'Too Sweet,' Bribes and Smith Take Center Stage at DA Trial
The trial of Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith continues today with testimony from Robert "Too Sweet" Henderson.
DA Smith: Going Too Far to Help Butler?
The jury in the trial of Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith has a lot to untangle, as the prosecution continues to present pieces of its case that the district attorney conspired to hinder the prosecution of Christopher Butler in order to aid in efforts to free him.
Day 5: DA's Attorney Takes Stand ... for Prosecution
Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith had the opportunity to ask his own attorney questions on the stand after the prosecution called Tupelo attorney Jim Waide as its latest witness during the fifth morning of testimony the Smith trial.
Day 4 of DA Smith Trial All About Jail Visits
Staff from the Raymond detention center and criminal defendant Christopher's Butler's old attorney, Sanford Knott, dominated the much of day four of the trial of Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith for conspiracy to hinder prosecution and aid or assist Christopher Butler in his bid to get released from jail.
Smith Trial: Defense Tries to Impugn Informant
On the fourth day of the trial against the Hinds County district attorney, his attorney tried to impugn the motives of a former employee-turned-informant, pressing him for more details on an alleged bribery conspiracy.
Conspiracies Grow in DA Smith Trial
There might be a bribery conspiracy in the Hinds County justice system, and even an admitted member of it said he did not know how "deep it goes."
Informant: Butler Case ‘Became the Big Thing’ in DA’s Office
It all began in the P.F. Chang’s parking lot, a former assistant district attorney testified on Tuesday in the trial of Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith for two counts of conspiracy and one count of aiding or assisting a criminal defendant while serving as district attorney.
Informant Recorded DA Smith, Reported to FBI for Months
Former Hinds County Assistant District Attorney Ivon Johnson secretly taped District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith on several occasions over the last year, FBI Special Agent Robert Culpepper testified this morning during the trial against the county's top prosecutor for alleged trying to help wire-fraud suspect Christopher Butler beat his charges.
AG's Office: Assistant DA to Testify For Prosecution After Charges Dismissed
One of Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith’s former assistant DAs will testify for the prosecution in his trial for alleged tampering with wire-fraud suspect Christopher Butler, the attorney general’s office said today. Special Judge Larry Roberts dropped charges against ADA Jamie McBride while jury selection was underway earlier today.
DA Robert Smith's Trial Starts Today
The trial of Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith for alleged tampering with criminal cases began today, with jury selection this morning. The list of potential witnesses in Special Judge Larry Roberts' courtroom includes Smith's own attorney, Jim Waide, and Hinds County Sheriff Victor Mason.
Council Pulls Mayor's Sexual Harassment Settlement from Agenda
The possibility of a settlement in the sexual-harassment and discrimination lawsuit a former executive assistant to Mayor Tony Yarber filed popped up for a moment in the last regular Jackson City Council meeting before President Tyrone Hendrix pulled it from the agenda with no explanation.
‘Not a Dungeon’: The Evolving Approach to Juvenile Detention
Across the pod, from inside the darkness of a cell, two shining circles stared out: the still and steady eyes of a black boy, locked up before he is even a man.
‘One Lake’ Supporters Banking on Federal Bill
The "One Lake" flood-control/development project will move forward under a new U.S. president and the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, members of the Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood and Drainage Control District say.
Airport Lawsuit On Hold Until October Trial or FAA Change
Who runs the airport is no longer in the hands of Mississippi Sen. Josh Harkins, R-Flowood, and Senate Bill 2162.
Jackson Asks State to Pitch In for Capital
When the City Council passed its legislative agenda at its last regular meeting on Nov. 29, the members sent a message to the state legislature that emphasized the need for the state's investment in its capital city.
Lumumba Responds to Fake Websites
The Jackson mayoral race begins at the end of December, but already there are shenanigans with the candidates' and potential candidates' websites.
Youth Education Prevents the Spread of HIV/AIDS
Public-health officials are addressing HIV risk factors nationally and in many states, but Mississippi lags other states in the information it collects.
County Approves Westin Hotel Interlocal Agreement to Fix Sewerage Pipes
The Hinds County Board of Supervisors passed a preemptive agreement for renovations to the sewerage system in downtown Jackson.
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