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BREAKING: Supreme Court Dismisses Melton Appeal

The Mississippi Supreme Court has rejected an appeal filed this morning by Mayor Frank Melton.

The

Day 2: Many Objections, Eye Witnesses at Melton Trial

After Senior Assistant District Attorney Stanley Alexander finished redirect of Lawrence Cooper Jr. in the felony trial of Mayor Frank Melton Tuesday morning, Judge Joe Webster called a brief recess. When attorneys returned, Webster lectured outside the presence of the jury. "When I rule on something, that's it," Webster warned, saying that it "got a little out of hand" during Cooper's testimony. Tuesday was marked by frequent objections.

Ramie Ford to Head New Department

After a firestorm ripped through Jackson last week after the Jackson Free Press reported that Parks and Recreation Director Ramie Ford might be leaving city government, Mayor Frank Melton said at a press conference Tuesday that he is creating a new city department that Ford will lead.

BREAKING: Invite Suggests Melton Fundraiser for Sheriff Candidate

A document (PDF, 40 KB) received via fax by the Jackson Free Press makes it appear that Jackson Mayor Frank Melton is planning a fundraiser at his home for Hinds County Sheriff candidate and city spokesman Tyrone Lewis.

BREAKING: Melton in Jail, In Medical Lock-up

Photo caption: Mugshots of Mayor Frank Melton, courtesy Hinds County Sheriff's Office.

Melton: Back on the Job?

Mayor Frank Melton held a press conference as his 2 Carter's Grove residence today to announce his return from heart surgery in Texas.

BREAKING: Court Recuses Green, Vacates Warrant; 2 Justices Dissent

The Mississippi Supreme Court has recused Judge Tomie Green from supervising Mayor Frank Melton's probation.

BREAKING: Video of Melton at Upper Level

Last Sunday, the Jackson Free Press broke news that Mayor Frank Melton was out long after bed-time, leading a platoon of about 20 police officers on a raid on the club.

Just in: City Attorney Charges ‘Threats'

<i>City Attorney and Staff Exited Executive Session at Mayor's Request

A statement just came from City Attorney Sarah O-Reilly Evans about the City Council meeting she and others walked out of yesterday, as reported by Adam Lynch yesterday. Verbatim:

BREAKING: Council Cocks the Trigger

The Tuesday night City Council meeting devolved into chaos when council members attempted to read aloud a list of very pointed questions to City Attorney Sarah O'Reilly-Evans.

Day 4: Dr. Ellen Melton in Front Row

Photo: Dr. Ellen Melton leaves the courtroom after closing arguments today with city employee Stephanie Parker-Weaver (left). Melton, the wife of the mayor, lives in Texas. Photo by Jaro Vacek. Click to enlarge.

Day 3: Prosecution Rests; Final Arguments Thursday

Reporting by Brian Johnson

The prosecution decided not to bring a rebuttal witness, instead electing to submit another police report instead. (Details of police report to come.) The prosecution rested. The judge announced that final arguments will be at 10 a.m. Thursday. At 8:30 a.m., the judge and attorneys for both sides will meet to discuss final details of the judge's jury instructions.

‘No Damn Trust' Between Council and Mayor

The story will appear in the print edition on Wednesday. Watch for updates after the Tuesday evening Council meeting.

BREAKING: Mother Confirms Evans Welch Arrest

The U. S. Marshal's Fugitive Task Force arrested Jackson resident Evans Welch Tuesday morning on an aggravated assault warrant filed by Jackson Police Department homicide detectives at his parents' home on Derrick St., according to a press release sent out by the city of Jackson.

Melton in Meridian Courtroom, Again

Read the original breaking JFP story here.

Day 1: Melton Jury Selected; Opening Statements Begin Tuesday

This story was substantially updated at 8:30 p.m. For further updates, see the comments below or scroll down in the story.

Supreme Court Overturns ‘Crack House' Gag

In a decision today, the Mississippi Supreme Court overturned an injunction issued by Circuit Judge Tomie Green last fall that forbid city officials from referring to the duplex in the Ridgeway incident as a crack or drug house.

Melton Probation Reassigned to Webster

The Mississippi Supreme Court reassigned Mayor Frank Melton's probation to Senior Judge Joe Webster on Monday.

Green Demands Melton Documentation

Dennis Grant, Probation Services Company Offender Services Coordinator said in a Jan. 29 letter (PDF, 100KB) to Judge Tomie Green that he has not received proof of Melton's recent surgery in Texas. Melton's bond for his felony indictments requires him to report any departures from the state. A delay in the mayor's heart surgery required he file details with Grant.

BREAKING: Green Orders Melton Arrest

See the JFP Melton Blog/Archive Here.

Sheriff Malcolm McMillin has confirmed to the Jackson Free Press that Judge Tomie Green has issued a warrant for the arrest of Mayor Frank Melton. Green issued the arrest warrant March 1 in response to Melton violating the terms of his probation. In November, Melton pled guilty to misdemeanor weapons violations and was sentenced to six months in the Hinds County jail. That jail time was suspended so long as Melton honored the terms of his probation, which included a nighttime curfew.