All results / Stories

Sort By

Date

Authors

BREAKING: Mayor Cancels Confirmation, Outrages Council

Several members of City Council were outraged today that Mayor Frank Melton abruptly cancelled the confirmation hearing of Charles Melvin, who is Melton's choice to head up the Parks and Recreation Department. Melvin's confirmation hearing was scheduled weeks in advance, but around 11:30 a.m., Melton announced he was cancelling the hearing because Councilman Frank Bluntson was sick.

Day 3: Defense Down to 2 Witnesses, If That

Reporting by Brian Johnson

After examining their witness list, based on the judge's limitations on discussion of past drug activity on Ridgeway Street, defense attorneys' acceptable list of witnesses has dropped to only two witnesses—drug users Tammy Callahan and another female—and the jury may never hear from them. The judge has said that testimony would be proper only outside the presence of the jury to ensure that their testimony is relevant to the case before he approves allowing the jury to hear their testimony.

JFP to Discuss Melton Verdict on WLEZ Friday

Be sure to tune in at noon Friday to Radio JFP on WLEZ (103.7 FM) to hear Todd Stauffer, Brian Johnson and Donna Ladd discuss the Melton verdict and other news. If you can't get near a radio, the live stream is at http://www.wlezfm.com/.

Christopher Walker Charged Again

Christopher "Smiley" Walker, once Mayor Frank Melton's star witness against Albert "Batman" Donelson, pleaded not guilty to possession of contraband in prison Monday, and will stay with his mother Lolethia Donelson if he is released from jail.

See Breaking Melton News in NoiseBlog

To view breaking stories about the arrest of Frank Melton, please see the JFP's breaking-news NoiseBlog. Those Melton entries will be archived here at a later day, so please booklink the MeltonBlog as well for future use.

Melton Pulls $3 Million From City's Reserves

The administration of Jackson Mayor Frank Melton got its wish from the council in a 3-to-2 vote in favor of raiding $3 million from the city's $7 million budget reserve fund to fix a lingering hole in the 2007 budget. "I don't like the idea of taking money out of the fund, but I don't see any other way to deal with (the shortfall)," Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes said.

Trial Date Set for Melton, Bodyguards

The Associated Press is reporting that Frank Melton, Michael Recio and Marcus Wright are headed to trial on April 23 for the demolition of the Ridgeway Street duplex and instructing at least one minor to help with the crime. For background, see Adam Lynch's breaking Sept. 1 story here and news and blog updates on JFP's MeltonBlog .

Day 3: Judge Limits Defense Options

<i>More details to come.</i>

As attorneys for Mayor Frank Melton prepared to mount their defense today, prosecutors protested to the judge that the defense had not provided adequate discovery on some of its witnesses. Judge Joe Webster ruled that all testimony about drug activity must be limited to 1305 Ridgeway Street. He also ruled that no evidence of drug activity before Melton became mayor on July 1, 2005, would be allowed in the trial.

The Melton Tapes: Donna Ladd's Interviews with Frank Melton

In spring 2006, Mayor Frank Melton broke his 14-month silence toward the Jackson Free Press, after refusing to give an interview to the newspaper after critical coverage of his campaign by JFP editor Donna Ladd, who was later joined by Adam Lynch and Brian Johnson. Over several weeks, Ladd spent many hours interviewing Melton, and went on two ride-alongs with him and police officers on the Mobile Command Center. Here are transcripts of those interviews:

BREAKING: City Council Withholds Pay

The Jackson City Council voted Tuesday to freeze the pay for two high-ranking city employees, Assistant Chief Administration Officer Charles Melvin and Assistant Fire Chief Todd Chandler. The council voted 4-3 to amend the city's payroll and hold the pay to two employees that they say are employed illegally.

Day 2: ‘No Drugs to Flush,' Witness Says

Lawrence Cooper Jr., who was the first witness for the prosecution in Mayor Frank Melton's felony trial, said the incident began when he heard people outside the duplex say, "The folks are coming," which is code for the police. Alexander asked him how Evans "Bubba" Welch reacted. Cooper said that Welch went to the front door and looked out.

BREAKING: Supreme Court Calls for Danks Hearing

The Mississippi Supreme Court issued an order (PDF, 48 KB) dated April 16 remanding Judge Tomie Green's call for sanctions against former Mayor Dale Danks to Hinds County Circuit Court.

Melton Missed Swimming Pools, Dog, Kids

Melton said this in The Clarion-Ledger today about his time in jail:

A-1 Pallets Files Restraining Order

Hinds County Chancery Court Judge Dewayne Thomas granted a temporary restraining order against the city of Jackson yesterday on behalf of A-1 Pallet Company.

Day 4: Partial Verdict Not Revealed

Reporting by Brian Johnson

According to Judge Webster, the jury has reached a unanimous decision on 10 of the 11 charges; there is one charge that they can't reach a verdict on. Webster, at the behest of defense council, instructed the jury to return to deliberations to determine whether or not they feel they will be able to reach a unanimous verdict on the remaining charge. None of the verdicts were revealed and the court stands again in recess.

Is the Melton Administration Breaking the City?

More details when Adam Lynch returns from City Hall.

The Clarion-Ledger is reporting that the Melton administration revealed to City Council today that they still need $3 million in order to balance the city's budget—even though Council has already adopted a 2008 budget, which was supposed to balance the budget. The city wants to borrow the $3 million from the city's 7 million reserve fund. Administration officials refused to show up at a 2 p.m. budget meeting to answer questions about the shortfall, the Ledger reported.

PDFs of Documents Filed in U.S. v. Melton

Most recent filings are listed at the bottom.

Day 4: The Jury Question

Reporting by Brian Johnson

Around 5:30 p.m. the jury asked a question of Judge Webster: "How long do we have to deliberate if a unanimous decision has not been reached on all charges."

Touted Melton Attorney Wins Death-Row Case

Houston attorney Craig Washington, whom Frank Melton had said will defend him in his upcoming trial for destroying a Ridgeway Street duplex, has won in his effort back in Texas to keep client Tyrone Williams off death row. Williams, who was convicted on 58 counts of conspiracy, harboring and transporting immigrants, was responsible for the deadliest smuggling operation to date, back in 2003, when he abandoned his truck with over 70 immigrants on board. Nineteen of them suffocated in the back of his tractor-trailer in the sweltering heat. Washington withdrew from Melton's gun trials last fall, due to obligations back in Texas.

JFP Editor Subpoenaed

Jackson Free Press Managing Editor Brian Johnson was subpoenaed (PDF, 192 KB) by former Mayor Dale Danks, who is an attorney for Mayor Frank Melton, to appear at an April 13 hearing before Judge Joe Webster.