Ellington

District Attorney candidate Robert Shuler Smith has taken an interesting journey to his current spot on the primary ballot. Smith said at a July Jackson 2000 forum at Schimmel's restaurant that he is in the race because former District Attorney Ed Peters asked him to run two years ago.

He did not spend that entire two years planning to run for office, however. In fact, when Michele Purvis registered with the Secretary of State's office on Jan. 18, 2007, to run for district attorney, Smith signed the form as her campaign manager, along with Max A. Mayes, a retied county criminal investigator, as her finance director.

The form was faxed to the JFP by a Purvis supporter on Tuesday and is posted as a PDF at jacksonfreepress.com.

This week Smith said that he signed on as Purvis' campaign manager "in name only." "(Purvis) came and asked me. I said, 'I will do it, but not really as your campaign manager. I don't have the time really.' She said, 'No, I just want your name,'" he said Tuesday.

Smith said he decided he couldn't stay on board, though. "I could not find the support, OK?" he said this week, adding that he didn't like what he started to see out of her campaign. "I didn't particularly agree with the way they were going to run their campaign. The totality of circumstances; I didn't want to be a part of that campaign."

"They" are city employees like Stephanie Parker-Weaver, and although he said he didn't meet with Melton's sister-in-law, Carolyn Redd, about Purvis' campaign, he says he was aware that she was helping her campaign.

Purvis did not return phone calls Tuesday about Smith's role in her campaign.

Peterson said Tuesday night that Smith admits that former District Attorney Ed Peters put him up to run—and called Peters' effort to oust her "low down."

"Two years ago, they started to look for someone to run against me. This indicates to me that this was a plan; Peters and Frank (Melton) and Frank (Bluntson) go way back," Peterson said. Peters helped negotiate a plea deal for Melton after his arrest last year, but the deal later fell apart.

Peterson said that, when she worked under Peters, he barely came to work—and couldn't remember her name, often calling her "Edna"—and left a horrendous case backlog for his successor to deal with. "Now I'm there every day, working, doing what we're supposed to do."

Still, she added, she has resisted criticizing Peters publicly since his retirement and even kept his employees until they retired—including Mayes, who is now working for Purvis. Now that he is publicly putting candidates against her, she said, she doesn't owe him anything else. "Look at the state Hinds County was in when he left, he is so wrong. The most disgusting and disrespectful thing he could do, after I spent four years cleaning up his mess, is to come out and endorse a candidate, or candidates, who have never prosecuted felonies. If they were so wonderful, why didn't he hire them then?"

Peters did not return phone calls Tuesday for comment.

Previous Comments

ID

81762

Comment

Ha,ha, ha. I was wondering when things were gonna heat up in this election!

Author

honey2me

Date

2007-07-25T18:16:51-06:00

ID

81763

Comment

Man, I may have to vote Demoncrat after all! Is this more proof that Stupid Old Men want to keep running Hinds County?

Author

Ironghost

Date

2007-07-25T18:43:35-06:00

ID

81764

Comment

Apparently last night, Honey. ;-) I called Petersen to ask her about Mayes, when I found out he had been a county investigator, and she suddenly opened up about Peters. We've had many conversations with her to date, and she has never been this upfront about her former boss before, even off the record. She's always hesitated to criticize him directly, so this was sobering stuff. I'll be frank, though: I like it when any candidate goes deeper than sound bites and shows a different side of themselves. And Iron, no comment.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-25T20:42:38-06:00

ID

81765

Comment

Edna? What the...? This has me thinking about that Delbert Hosemann commercial. The lady called him Gilbert, Engelbert and everything else but his name. LOL

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-07-25T22:46:53-06:00

ID

81766

Comment

Because Ed Peters and I have been friends for about 25+ years, I have kept quiet about this thus far, but Robert Smith's suggestion that he is in the DA's race because Ed "asked him to run two years ago" invites some elaboration. Ed and I met for lunch at Martin's one day this past spring prior to the qualifying deadline to discuss the upcoming race. I had heard that he might be in Mr. Smith's camp, so I wanted to ask him about it. He frankly told me that he had been discouraging Mr. Smith from running, that he had told him that he (Mr. Smith) did not want that job, and that he would continue to try to talk Mr. Smith out of running. He also told me that if Mr. Smith ran, he would have to support him because of an old debt to a member of Mr. Smith's family (the personal nature of which need not be discussed here). I love and respect Ed, so I won't dis him for doing what he believes he has to do, even though I strongly feel he chose to support the wrong candidate; and I don't intend to get in the middle of any back-and-forth with anyone over this. I just thought Mr. Smith's statement deserved some clarification. Faye Peterson is a dedicated, experienced and highly-professional prosecutor and a terrific leader for the assistant district attorneys in her office, of which I am proud to be one. PSW

Author

PSW

Date

2007-07-26T07:02:03-06:00

ID

81767

Comment

That's usually how it works. Seems to me Faye tried to take the high road of "if you can't say something good about somebody, don't say nothing" and got sucker punched. Now she's coming out swinging. Frankly, I think she has been running her campaign based on her record and that's how it should be. Win, lose or draw she will know that she ran an honest campaign based on her record and the facts. Unlike Michelle, Faye doesn't need smokescreens and magic mirrors. GO, FAYE!

Author

honey2me

Date

2007-07-26T07:02:12-06:00

ID

81768

Comment

PSW, I appreciate your sharing that, but it would be more credible to put it on the record with your name. Call Adam if you are willing to do that (601.362.6121 ext. 8) And if it is possible to get Mr. Peters to call us back -- which he never has -- we would love to get his take on all of this.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-26T07:08:52-06:00

ID

81769

Comment

BTW, are there those of you out there who are familiar with the circumstances of Mr. Peters leaving in the middle of his term? We weren't here, yet, then.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-26T07:20:44-06:00

ID

81770

Comment

It's no great mystery: "PSW" stands for Philip Scott Weinberg. (I'll try not to feel manipulated for having provided that in response to your inquiry. The parties involved all know who it is, anyway.)

Author

PSW

Date

2007-07-26T07:22:56-06:00

ID

81771

Comment

I'm not trying to manipulate you. ;-) I want to make it clear that you're speaking on someone else's behalf, and that should be done on the record. And that we welcome Mr. Peters' response. This is a different story than Mr. Smith told; we should seek his response as well. Now, when I spoke with him this Tuesday, he wasn't pushing the Peters-putting-him-up story as strongly as he did at the Jackson 2000 forum, for the record. But my impression is that was because he hadn't realized earlier that some people might not find the backing of Peters to be a positive for him. He said that, when he was Peterson's campaign manager, he had no knowledge that Peters might also be involved in her campaign, which is a rumor. I can probably get the transcript of this part of our conversation online a little later on.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-26T07:28:42-06:00

ID

81772

Comment

I will add that one thing that bugs the crap out of me about this DA's race, as well as the sheriff's race, is all the tapdancing about who is supporting whom. Why all the secrecy and posturing about it?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-26T07:32:52-06:00

ID

81773

Comment

I trust you meant to say "Purvis' campaign manager...."

Author

PSW

Date

2007-07-26T07:34:06-06:00

ID

81774

Comment

I did. Thank you. Not enough coffee, yet.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-26T07:39:02-06:00

ID

81775

Comment

I think Edna is doing a good job, and hope the public won't be fooled by her detractors.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-07-26T07:57:56-06:00

ID

81776

Comment

Ray! ;-)

Author

Izzy

Date

2007-07-26T08:25:09-06:00

ID

81777

Comment

I will piggy-back on what McMillan said in his commercial, "We don't need a change, we need stability." This is what Faye Peterson brings to the table. We have had enough of this "paying back a favor/debt" crap with some of these political endorsers. I would not support my best friend for an office if I thought that the only reason was secondary to "owing" a favor. "Enough IS Enough!"

Author

justjess

Date

2007-07-26T08:32:07-06:00

ID

81778

Comment

Ray Carter, I agree with you, Edna is doing a great job. LOL! HOWL!

Author

justjess

Date

2007-07-26T08:38:32-06:00

ID

81779

Comment

I would agree that all of this feels like the Old Guard trying to hold on. And, Ray, I have a feeling that "Edna" will stick. I mean, "Edna Faye" sounds like a good southern name. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-26T08:42:13-06:00

ID

81780

Comment

"Because Ed Peters and I have been friends for about 25+ years...." Some friend you are Mr. Weinberg. You and your 25-year friend have a private conversation, and you share the substance of that private conversation with the public at large?

Author

**Suspended**

Date

2007-07-26T13:56:58-06:00

ID

81781

Comment

Physical fitness of the DA aside (which is irrelevant), Mansell does have a point about PSW's comment on the substance of his conversation with Peters. It certainly is the dissemination of an opinion and not fact. I mean why would Ed publicy support Smith but really not want him to run. He could have just supported Faye but didn't. Apparently he had a reason for this or is PSW just worried about his job security, who knows. I have a feeling that if someone other than Faye gets elected, PSW and the rest of the crew on Pascagoula Street will be looking for employment elsewhere.

Author

*Suspended for masquerading as another person*

Date

2007-07-26T14:10:07-06:00

ID

81782

Comment

Again, McMurt, we welcome Mr. Peters' response and return call. Otherwise, I'll be deleting the disgusting ad hominem attacks post-haste. Truly unbelievable.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-26T14:11:48-06:00

ID

81783

Comment

It also seems kind of suspect that one of Faye's ADA's (PSW, Flip, is actually Faye's Chief ADA at that) would being trying to spread that stuff. Are they getting nervous over there? Sounds like it to me but then again there was that email that Flip sent out to the prosecutor's association that made some headlines in the Ledger if I recall correctly.

Author

*Suspended for masquerading as another person*

Date

2007-07-26T14:20:42-06:00

ID

81784

Comment

Interestingly, McMurt, PSW's post doesn't fit neatly into any one box. In a way, it makes it sound less like Mr. Peters is supporting Smith because he and his friends are putting up a candidate to help Melton. I'm not sure which scenario would "help" either side more. I personally would be more bothered at the idea that Mr. Peters intentionally chose Mr. Smith, rather than that he is lukewarm about him. But I guess it depends on how you look at the whole thing. The plot has thickened.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-26T14:25:16-06:00

ID

81785

Comment

Thats a valid point Donna. It doesn't seem to directly attack Smith. Yet, I still wonder why Faye's Chief ADA is blogging about "possible" discontent with Smith by Peters? Do they see the writing on the wall? I just don't know what his motivation might be.

Author

*Suspended for masquerading as another person*

Date

2007-07-26T14:28:51-06:00

ID

81786

Comment

I mean why is he disclosing a private conversation with his "friend" that portray's Peters as a "Flip-Flopper" on who to endorse?

Author

*Suspended for masquerading as another person*

Date

2007-07-26T14:31:15-06:00

ID

81787

Comment

How do we know if PSW is really PSW?

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-07-26T14:31:29-06:00

ID

81788

Comment

I don't know. It might be simpler than that, and he simply wants a fuller truth out there, which includes what he knows. I admire people who think that way. If Smith is saying that Peters is whole-hog behind him, and he isn't really, then perhaps PSW thinks he should share his knowledge. I wouldn't assign him motives you can't know to be true. My theory is that it's a wash, from Peterson's perspective. Certainly, Smith's connection with Peters hurts him in many people's eyes; this post might help Smith with those folks. I guess I'm not sensing anything sinister. I don't know Mr. Weinberg, but he strikes me as an extremely straightforward kind of guy. I kind of admire that.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-26T14:34:05-06:00

ID

81789

Comment

He registered under his county e-mail address, which he had to respond to. I can ask Adam to call him to be certain, though.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-26T14:35:20-06:00

ID

81790

Comment

Smith's connection may hurt him in many people's eyes but I don't think it hurts him in the majority of voter's eyes. The general consensus in this county is that Ed was good DA, now I am not saying that he was a good DA, just what the majority thinks or believes. Smith's connection with Peters is an advantage for him in that respect.

Author

*Suspended for masquerading as another person*

Date

2007-07-26T14:37:49-06:00

ID

81791

Comment

I understand, McMurt, about the Peters factor. I'm not sure, over all, it's an advantage, though, because there are many people who also question it. Certainly, many of our readers question whether it's a plus. It may cancel out, in a close race with other factors—like Smith's dearth of experience and lack of many specifics on how he would be a better DA, other than meaningless "respect" rhetoric.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-26T14:44:00-06:00

ID

81792

Comment

I just sent my law clerk (at 2pm) to the Hinds County DA's office to deliver some papers to one of the ADAs. The receptionist told her that all the assistants were gone for the day. She asked for Ms. Peterson and was told she was also gone for the day. It's hard to believe the DA would criticize Ed Peters for not coming to work, when she and her entire staff were AWOL at 2 in the afternoon.

Author

lawyerjeff

Date

2007-07-27T14:30:40-06:00

ID

81793

Comment

Did she ask where they were gone to? Just curious.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-27T14:34:43-06:00

ID

81794

Comment

No, she was too shocked to ask any questions. I explained to her that this DA's office was run a touch differently than other counties.

Author

lawyerjeff

Date

2007-07-27T14:40:35-06:00

ID

81795

Comment

Well, it doesn't sound like hearing that people "are gone for the day" should seem shocking. There are plenty of times most of my staff are gone, but it doesn't mean they're all sunning by the reservoir. In some companies, the jobs aren't desk jobs. I don't know where they are—although I had interviewed Peterson just before that—and she had a full schedule of stuff, she told me. And they may all be goofing off as far as I know. But the experience as you are describing it here doesn't say anything. *That's* my point. (I get the feeling I'm going to get real tied of anonymous attorney-types real quick. I guess the rest of us should brace ourselves for all sorts of jabs back and forth in the next 10 days by newbie users only interested in one thing. Advice to y'all: We'll take you more seriously if (a) you reveal who you really are (yeah, right), and (b) if you post on a variety of topics, and not limit yourself to weak attempts at personal attacks.)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-27T14:49:05-06:00

ID

81796

Comment

Besides, somebody told me lawyers were notorious for having their secretaries tell people they were unavailable, not in, et al, when real busy and people are just dropping in unnannounced with business of no real emergency. Were you able to drop off your papers or not?

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-07-27T14:56:26-06:00

ID

81797

Comment

I'm just telling you what the receptionist (Faye's employee) told my law clerk. That's not a personal attack, it's what she was told. And yes, things are different in Hinds. As bad as David Clark (Rankin-Madison) is, I bet he and/or at least some of his ADAs are in the office right now. As to your attack regarding lawyers, we are the ones in the best position to how Faye Peterson does business. We are the ones who deal with them on actual cases on a regular basis.

Author

lawyerjeff

Date

2007-07-27T14:56:52-06:00

ID

81798

Comment

I do tell my secretary to tell people I am not in when I really am, so yes that happens alot but lawyerjeff has a point, I mean I have gone over there on several Friday afternoons & nobody was there. Its actually kind of a running joke in the criminal defense community that if you want something done at the DAs office then make sure its done by Friday morning cause you won't catch anyone there after lunch.

Author

*Suspended for masquerading as another person*

Date

2007-07-27T15:08:48-06:00

ID

81799

Comment

When its a governmental agency someone is suppose to be there until closing besides a receptionist. Someone who can answer questions if necessary...

Author

filetmeow007

Date

2007-07-27T15:12:00-06:00

ID

81800

Comment

Working at home! Is it not permitted? Working at the library, is it not necessary?

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-07-27T15:12:23-06:00

ID

81801

Comment

But I am sure its not just the Hinds County DAs office where that happens, I bet it happens at most state jobs. It just kind of sucks that their salaries come out of our tax dollars and they just don't want to work that hard. Especially when the people of this county are suffering from the ever growing crime rate. Then again I am sure its not just the Hinds Da's office that skips out early on Fridays.

Author

*Suspended for masquerading as another person*

Date

2007-07-27T15:12:31-06:00

ID

81802

Comment

It appears that Ed should have thought about his friendship with PSW. The readers have gotten off on the wrong issue with this story once again. I am convinced now that people support who they want to support and they believe what they want to believe. Ed Peters and Frank Melton attacked Faye Peterson and no one said a word, but as soon as she responds, she is accused of attacking them. I find it interesting that Michele has no experience and has lied all over Jackson, and Robert who is only in this race to get the good ole boy network back up and running, and Faye is being attacked for telling the truth. I worked for a criminal lawyer during Ed Peters last 6 years as the DA and I can tell you he wasn't working nor was he trying any cases. We all know that but we want to attack Faye. Why is she held to a different standard then Ed? I am mad as hell and sick of this mess.

Author

td

Date

2007-07-27T15:14:26-06:00

ID

81803

Comment

We have lawyers all over the site, lawyerjeff. Many of them comment on all sorts of issues; others are here to trash certain people. My point here is that we are getting a lot of lawyers only interesting in taking sides, and slapping others, in this race. Y'all will come and go. That's fine. But I do wish you'd have the class to post under your real names when you make accusations. It's hard to gauge your credibility at all otherwise.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-27T15:16:30-06:00

ID

81804

Comment

Well, certainly Ray, Mr. Melton does most of his work from his home.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-27T15:19:11-06:00

ID

81805

Comment

Aggressive in the COURT ROOM YES! we're talking outside the courtroom..... I'm OUT! can't deal with people who can't stay on one subject

Author

filetmeow007

Date

2007-07-27T15:20:15-06:00

ID

81806

Comment

Hey Jeff- Try to find a DA in Rankin or Madison- It doesn't even have to be a Friday-

Author

Randy Harris

Date

2007-07-27T15:21:29-06:00

ID

81807

Comment

Uh, folks. We just checked with the D.A.'s office and learned that both Dewey Arthur and Greg Miles, at least, are there ready to take questions. Can we try to exercise a bit of restraint on this site? We're not here for trash-flinging, folks? Try to act like adults.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-27T15:21:55-06:00

ID

81808

Comment

"Working at the library, is it not necessary?" Not when you have unlimited Westlaw access, which the DA's office has. "and Robert who is only in this race to get the good ole boy network back up and running," Are you honestly saying the black male grandson of a civil rights icon wants the "good ole boy network" to come back into existence? Could it be that Ed Peters honestly believes that Robert Smith would make a better DA? Could it be that Peters, based upon a lifetime spent prosecuting criminals, actually believes that Faye Peterson is not a good DA? Why must you assume that he has some nefarious purpose in endorsing the candidacy of Robert Smith?

Author

lawyerjeff

Date

2007-07-27T15:22:23-06:00

ID

81809

Comment

"We just checked with the D.A.'s office and learned that both Dewey Arthur and Greg Miles, at least, are there ready to take questions." I wonder why my girl was told no one was there.

Author

lawyerjeff

Date

2007-07-27T15:26:20-06:00

ID

81810

Comment

I think the problem with your argument, lawyerjeff, is that the DA's office might not have been in stellar condition when Mr. Peters left it. It's curious now that he is so concerned about it, if that was the case. Otherwise, I am not saying that Smith wants to the Good Ole Boy Network back in place. However, the fact that he is the black male grandson of a civil rights icon does not argue one way or the other on it. We have plenty of examples of multi-racial power coalitions out there—some positive, some negative. (See Melton.) I'm not saying that is the case here, but I am saying that his grandfather has nothing to do with all this.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-27T15:27:42-06:00

ID

81811

Comment

Ed wasn't that great either but he hung around forever. He is personally talented but was largely goofing off on the job. No one cared, right?

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-07-27T15:28:22-06:00

ID

81812

Comment

I wouldn't know why your "girl" was told such a thing, jeff. Maybe because the receptionist knows she works for a man who calls her "girl"?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-27T15:28:55-06:00

ID

81813

Comment

Ray, that does seem to be the going meme on Mr. Peters. He was good in the courtroom when he was there, but that he didn't run a tight ship in the D.A.'s office.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-27T15:29:54-06:00

ID

81814

Comment

I also refer to my runner as my "boy." So what?

Author

lawyerjeff

Date

2007-07-27T15:34:21-06:00

ID

81815

Comment

Well, I guess that makes it fine then. Let me guess: They call you massa.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-27T15:37:57-06:00

ID

81816

Comment

Ray- I usually agree with you but how many cases did you try against Ed for you to comment that ' he wasn't that great either'?

Author

Randy Harris

Date

2007-07-27T15:38:32-06:00

ID

81817

Comment

No, they call me Jeff. I don't know too many folks that would get offended by the boss calling them their "girl" or "boy." I had a boss call me that before. I guess it just matters what you mean when you say it. If you mean it affectionately, as I do, then it's cool. Now, if it were used in a derogatory manner, then it might bother me.

Author

lawyerjeff

Date

2007-07-27T15:42:24-06:00

ID

81818

Comment

He wasn't that great at being in the office. That's what I said. I've never seen him at the courthouse or his office despite going both places countless times and trying many murder and assault cases in Hinds county. From every thing I've heard and read he was/is a very talented trial lawyer. I have said this many times before. I wouldn't back down or run from him though.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-07-27T15:43:18-06:00

ID

81819

Comment

I don't know too many folks that would get offended by the boss calling them their "girl" or "boy." Really? Interesting. Do you find nothing derogatory about calling your employee by a word used for a child?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-27T15:43:47-06:00

ID

81820

Comment

Again, if it's used affectionately, I don't see anything wrong with it. My people don't seem to mind. Then again, I don't hire hypersensitive people.

Author

lawyerjeff

Date

2007-07-27T15:49:45-06:00

ID

81821

Comment

**Maybe because the receptionist knows she works for a man who calls her "girl"?**<--ladd I've got sunshine on a cloudy day with *my girl*. I've even got the month of May with *my girl* ..... FOFLMAO.

Author

Kacy

Date

2007-07-27T15:50:25-06:00

ID

81822

Comment

So, do you ask them in the interview if they mind being called "boy" or "girl"?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-27T15:52:30-06:00

ID

81823

Comment

No, cause it ain't that big a deal. And it really wouldn't matter if they objected or not. I'm the damn boss.

Author

lawyerjeff

Date

2007-07-27T15:54:57-06:00

ID

81824

Comment

I thought that was Buddy's daughter.

Author

lawyerjeff

Date

2007-07-27T15:56:26-06:00

ID

81825

Comment

And it really wouldn't matter if they objected or not. I'm the damn boss. Remind me who you're here to endorse, "jeff." BTW, we're hearing that the DA's receptionist does not recall your, er, "girl" coming in today and inquiring for attorneys. And if so, she'd be able to identify her, right? The jig is up, whoever you are.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-27T15:58:56-06:00

ID

81826

Comment

BTW, all, we just figured out that lawyerjeff is the guy who keeps signing in under different accounts and then devolves into talking about women's body parts, especially the DA's. He has done this for months. Over the last 30 minutes, he's tried to sign up under at least five different accounts, and he did this yesterday as well and had to be suspended. In other words, he is a Super Troll who specializes in disparagement of women in his posts. Please disregard anything, and any accusation, he made. And now the "girl" part makes total sense. I apologize to the rest of you, but it's good to get to the bottom of these things.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-27T16:06:50-06:00

ID

81827

Comment

It's also good to point out that neither McMurtry or Mansell above are the ADAs under the same name. Perhaps it's a conincidence that critics of the DA have the same name, and perhaps they are trying to pretend they are people they're not. Stop the games, boys and girls. And you attorney game-players are going to give all lawyers a bad name if you haven't already.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-27T17:20:43-06:00

ID

81828

Comment

Lawyers had a good name once? When?

Author

Ironghost

Date

2007-07-27T20:50:36-06:00

ID

81829

Comment

"Perhaps it's a conincidence that critics of the DA have the same name" Donna, I don't think I have ever criticized Faye Peterson on here at all. I have said that I respect her and the way that she has run her campaign. The only criticism that I have stated is about the staff of ADAs that she hired, and then I don't think all of them are bad either. I think Faye is a very good & competent lawyer, I just think that it is time for a change because something needs to happen to solve the crime problems in Jackson and right now nothing is changing.

Author

*Suspended for masquerading as another person*

Date

2007-07-28T12:19:01-06:00

ID

81830

Comment

My primary problem is actually with Michelle Purvis. I think that if she were to get elected, than the problems that we see today will be a fond memory of the "good times" in Jackson.

Author

*Suspended for masquerading as another person*

Date

2007-07-28T12:24:18-06:00

ID

81831

Comment

Folks, I have just confirmed that the person posting as "McMurtry" is not the ADA of the same name, and was in fact referencing his name, supposedly as a joke. This user has been suspended. I would suggest disregarding all of his comments, as it is impossible to know what is true and what isn't from this user. Sigh.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-28T14:52:58-06:00

ID

81832

Comment

Can't go back and delete them? Oh well.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2007-07-28T20:09:18-06:00

ID

81833

Comment

Iron, I may be able to if his comments aren't too wound up with other posters' comments. It'll take a little bit of time to figure it out.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-07-29T08:08:32-06:00

ID

81834

Comment

It was a thought. You can always rename the account "Troll" or something humorous. :)

Author

Ironghost

Date

2007-07-29T16:00:18-06:00

ID

81835

Comment

I wish that some intelligent person would explain to me why the crime problem in Jackson is the problem of the DA's office. When you dial 911 is it not the police department that you are seeking help from; would this accountability not fall in the hands of the chief of police and the mayor. People wake up, don't be too deep in the forest that you can't see the trees. I simply don't get it, who patrol the streets, who do we pay to protect us, could it be the police that are not visible? No one has ever said anything about the truth about Robert Smith (go alone), his career was to defend the thugs that you are complaining about, he fought to keep them out of jail and put them back on the street. How insane and now he has a turn of hearts and want to put them in jail. We have come to a said day in Jackson….someone always looking for a hand out. Try riding through Rankin, Madison or Brandon and I bet you will see there are officers out patrolling the streets, making arrest etc., Not their DA or ADA‘s. It does not matter who gets elected for DA, Jackson will not change until the responsibility is placed where the blame truly should be. One thing for certain Faye Peterson whom I respect and is not being persuaded by no individual, not afraid to stand when the good old boys try to bring her down, will continue to be an access to Jackson. Unlike her opponents who don’t have an original idea or a clue, but as I see it will sell there sold to the devil short of a penny. My personal opinion is I support someone who will stand up and fight for what is right and not because I would be backed by someone with money and a loud mouth who is getting nothing done for this city. I have no trust for anyone associated with the Mayor and that goes directly to Robert Smith and Michele Purvis (no experience, only lies). Actually as black professional they should be ashame, and who would be afraid of mommy’s boy Robert, I’m a female and I see nothing but a missing spine.

Author

BJM

Date

2007-07-29T19:45:21-06:00

ID

81836

Comment

Sorry, guys, I've been out since Thursday afternoon. Did I miss anything? Obviously, I would have no way of knowing who "Suspended" and "Suspended for masquerading as another person" are, or even if they are different people, but as to his/her/their comments about my friendship with Ed Peters, he/she/they would do well to be less judgmental and more attentive. I made it as clear as possible that I admire Ed and consider him a friend. Although our conversation was just us, there was nothing confidential about it. He may very well have left that meeting and changed his mind about how he felt concerning his candidate, which is his prerogative. His reasons are his alone, and it was only Mr. Smith's raising of the issue of why he is running that prompted my comments, which were 100% true. As to the "lawyer jeff" business, the DA's office was not left unattended. Although I was using some hard-earned state-sanctioned personal leave on the 27th, the office staff had instructions to contact me by cell phone at any time day or night as needed. I may take some vacation from the office now and then, but I never take a vacation from my job. That's pretty much true of all of our lawyers; and there were some here, anyway. I haven't heard from anyone who needed a prosecutor that day and couldn't find one.... Even leaving around 3:00 Thursday and being off Friday, I put in more than 40 hours for the week. If that's a problem, Jeff, feel free to come complain in person during the ten-or-so hours a day that I'm here. PSW

Author

PSW

Date

2007-07-30T04:09:27-06:00

ID

81837

Comment

Wow... unless I'm misreading my email someone went on an editing spree. :D

Author

Ironghost

Date

2007-07-30T20:30:06-06:00

ID

81838

Comment

JamesLucas, Stupid is Stupid does!! Go somewhere where that type of behavior is accepted. I think the address is @ 2 Carter Grove Jackson, Ms. You may find the candidate you voting for or his mommy may have already tucked him in bed!!!!

Author

Roc

Date

2007-07-30T20:44:38-06:00

ID

81839

Comment

Iron/Roc: Some poor lonely soul has been trying to spam the boards. Just tidying up after him. Keep him in your prayers. He apparently has little else going for him.

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2007-07-30T20:54:56-06:00

ID

81840

Comment

The best thing to do when these trolls come on here is to ignore them and not dignify anything they say with a response. It gives them a rush when people are riled up and respond. An ignored troll will go away.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2007-07-30T21:01:55-06:00

ID

81841

Comment

*sigh* Do they think we'd honestly be afraid? Hazard of the times, I suppose.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2007-07-30T21:07:30-06:00

ID

81842

Comment

When I saw Ed Peters in the ad endorsing Smith—this is a GOOD thing!?!—I thought of this piece in which I reported that he used to call Peterson "Edna" when she worked for him.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-08-22T22:04:11-06:00