Deadly Pet Food Filler Open Secret in China
It seems that all that "free trade"—and loss of American jobs and trading economic strength in our communities for sweat shops—is starting to come home to roost by killing our pets. As the JFP has been saying for years, folks: Think Global, Shop Local. And that doesn't mean chasing our manufacturers to other countries, Barbour, Clinton, et al. What goes around does indeed come around.
The Abstinence-Only Delusion
The New York Times is calling for Congress to either drop ill-fated abstinence-only education funding, or expand it to include safe-sex messages, which studies are showing do actually help lower teen pregnancy:
Bush Administration Should Come Clean
In the wake of the George Tenet explosion in Washington, The New York Times editorial board today calls for answers—honest ones—from the people who took the U.S. into a bad war with little regard for the truth, getting it or giving it:
The Folks Are Coming
A JFP reader commented on our Web site Tuesday that it is a very different world in which citizens can watch live feeds of a trial on WAPT's Web site and then click to jacksonfreepress.com and comment on it, ask questions and have them immediately addressed by the lawyers obsessed with the site. It is, indeed.
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/.
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.
Day 3: Stokes Testifies; Defense Rests
Reporting by Brian Johnson
The defense elected to call only one more witness this afternoon—Councilman Kenneth Stokes. Under direct questioning by Melton attorney Dale Danks, Stokes said he had lodged complaints about drugs in the Ridgeway Street area. "We were asking for help, from the mayor's office especially," Stokes said. He said he had discussed the duplex at 1305 Ridgeway Street "a couple times" before Aug. 26, 2006. Stokes said he first discussed it with Melton on April 4, 2006, as well as Michael Recio and Marcus Wright. He said that it was his opinion that it was a "crackhouse."
Day 3: Jury May Have Case by Noon Today
<i>Watch for updates.</i>
Word from the courthouse is that the judge may send the case to the jury by noon today. So far, defense attorneys have put no witnesses in front of the jury and may not be able to.
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.
Day 2: Welch Watching ‘Walking Tall' Before Attack
In the opening statements and first testimony in the Mississippi v. Melton et al. trial, prosecutor Stanley Alexander came out of the gate with a focus on the events of Aug. 25, 2006, when he promised to show that Frank Melton, Michael Recio and Marcus Wright are guilty of the five felony charges they face. He also mentioned that Melton was "loaded" that night. He promised to prove that Evans Welch and his friend, Lawrence Cooper Jr., were watching TV when Wright broke down the back door and Melton came to the front porch, and soon attacked the side of the house with a "long Walking Tall stick," breaking out several windows.
Day 1: JFP Blogs Figure Prominently in Voir Dire
On Monday, defense attorney Merrida Coxwell Jr. conducted voir dire for Melton. In his second question, he asked if any potential juror read or made comments on media blogs, specifically the Jackson Free Press. One prospective juror said he had read the JFP online. Coxwell asked if any had read the JFP in print, describing it as a "little magazine they have outside grocery stores." Altogether, two prospective jurors said they had read articles about the defendants in the JFP, and Webster said attorneys could question them in chambers.
Journalist David Halberstam Killed in Car Wreck
This is tragic, tragic news. May this amazing journalist and writer rest in peace.
Open Thread for Melton Trial Here
Have at it.
Meantime, read the JFP's Melton blog/archive here. And read the Sept. 1, 2006, story by Adam Lynch that revealed the Ridgeway Street demolition and led to the trial this week. See photos of the Ridgeway destruction here.
More Ledger Illiteracy
OK, folks, check out The Clarion-Ledger's editorial about Melton today—for the way it is written. Here are some money quotes:
Frank's Boy
At the center of the maelstrom around Mayor Frank Melton's actions the night of Aug. 26, 2006, sits a young man named Michael Taylor. Because Tayloralready accused of a felony then at the tender age of 16allegedly helped Melton and his bodyguards destroy the Ridgeway Street duplex, the men could face decades in prison.
BREAKING: Lawn Crew Owner Arrested Again
A spokesman for the Hinds County Sheriff's Department confirmed that Frederica Brunson, 23, also known as Jermaine Butler, was arrested today for possession of a stolen automobile and contempt of court. Brunson, who owns the Wood Street Lawn Service, was last arrested Dec. 4, 2005, for armed robbery of the Headliners Barbershop near Wood Street. He was also arrested for rape in 2001.
Clarion-Ledger Makes Absurd Error About ‘Drunk' Motion
In their belated story today about the motion filed accusing Melton being drunk the night of the Ridgeway rampage—which we reported about Friday—The Clarion-Ledger states that the motion "became public" Monday. This is either a lie, or a really dumb error. When Adam Lynch left Judge Webster's courtroom before noon Friday, he walked downstairs to the clerk's office, and there was the motion in the file. He copied it and brought it back; Brian made a PDF and put it online.
Evangelicals Against Global Warming and Torture
"Good theology can drive out bad theology. Good theology can lead to solutions."
Right now, I'm listening to an amazing interview with National Association of Evangelicals Vice President Richard Cizik on "Speaking of Faith" about why his views on the issue of climate change has changed so dramatically. He says that evangelicals have ignored science for too long and have to reject becoming a "wholly owned subsidiary of the GOP." This is a must-listen interview. It's breathtaking; every word out of his mouth is amazing.
Lost in Translation
"He is like a prodigal son, pondering whether he should return to his native soil." So wrote now-freelance Clarion-Ledger columnist Eric Stringfellow this week in a hand-wringing column about the future of Jackson.
Hear Podcasts of JFP on WLEZ
Radio JFP, which airs every Friday at noon on WLEZ, 103.7 FM, is now being podcast on WLEZ's Web site. Click here to listen to last week's show, with discussions about the district attorney, the Melton administration and the "Mississippi, Believe It" campaign.
Alert the Media: Richard Barrett Digs Seale
The Clarion-Ledger continues to puzzle on their James Ford Seale coverage since they figured out that he was still alive. Yesterday, they ran a big story giving publicity to folks like white-supremacist lawyer (and New Jersey native) Richard Barrett (the Nationalist folks) who are trying to suck some attention off the notoriety of the James Ford Seale case.
Alert: Lawsuit Abuse! Lawsuit Abuse!
I hear stories like this one and I get furious at the people who refuse to understand that the most important use of lawsuits is to financially deter crap like this from happening:
Wonkette Disses Mississippi's ‘Racist' Easter Egg
So, why is our Easter Egg racist you might ask? Well, head over to the JFP's StateDesk site for the rest of the story (and talk about it over there should you wish. No registration required, yet.).
Men Who Hate Women on the Web
Joan Walsh of Salon has a fascinating story about how women are often treated online, using the ugly attacks on Kathy Sierra as an example. She writes:
Of Paranoia and Xenophobia
See related blog thread.
CAUTION: More Pet Food Recalled
Del Monte is now on the list of recalled pet food. The long list now includes Pounce Cat Treats, Meaty Morsels and Jerky Dog Treats.
Crossroads Festival Winners Announced
Monday update: We're pleased to announce that "Oh, Mr. Faulkner, Do You Write?" won the Audience Choice Award this year.
The JFP Interview with Joey Lauren Adams
Filmmaker Joey Lauren Adams, 39, is a fan of drinking Budweiser and driving along flat Arkansas highways looking at cypress trees, not necessarily at the same time. The first time I interviewed her, for a hoity-toity celebrity magazine in New York City in the summer of 2001, she was home in North Little Rock from her adopted city of Los Angeles, hankering to live in the South again. But as a successful and respected actress—she was nominated for a Golden Globe for her starring role in "Chasing Amy"' and is a charter member of director Kevin Smith's hipster actor posse—her life and business were far from Arkansas.
D.A. Questions Judge Allowing Officer to Walk
The Clarion is reporting today that District Attorney Faye Peterson is outraged that Judge Bobby DeLaughter has allowed a police officer charged with vehicular manslaughter to go free with no jail time. After Jeffrey Middleton, who ran a red light and killed a man in 2005 while on duty, pled guilty to the charge that carries up to 20 years in prison, DeLaughter placed him on probation and withheld adjudication, which means that the judge can undo his guilty plea if he doesn't violate the terms of his short probation, and then expunge his record. That, Peterson says, could mean that Middleton is allowed to become a police officer again.
JUST IN: Wilson Pleads Guilty to Murder in Teen Death
More details as they develop ...
Toice Wilson today pled guilty to murder in Hinds County Circuit Court after the prosecution refused his request yesterday to plead guilty to manslaughter in the beating death of Tawana Sandifer, 15. Judge Swan Yerger than sentenced him to life in prison.
Daily Newspaper Revenue, Readership Declining
No surprise here, but daily newspapers are in trouble. Gannett, which owns The Clarion-Ledger, is showing a dramatic drop in revenue and readership, for instance. The New York Times reports today on how bad it is, and why:
Fighting Back In Klan Nation
When Mary Geraldine Briggs heard a horn blaring outside her small house, under shady oak trees on Highway 84 in Roxie, Miss., she would go get the shotgun and head to the door to protect her family. The horn was the signal from her husband, Rev. Clyde Bennie Briggs, that a carload of Klansmen was on his tail again. His wife was instructed to do anything she needed to do to protect herself and their six kids, and the one on the way. She was armed and ready.
Ledger: Melton ‘Should Have Learned'
Oh, and they end the thing with this:
In another demonstration of why their newspaper is so awful, The Clarion-Ledger edit-boyz today declared that, now that Judge Webster has thrown out the probation warrants against Melton, that the mayor "should have learned that doesn't mean he can break his parole with impunity." How's that, Ledge? How did a judge from elsewhere throwing out every bit of his parole violations, calling them "technical," send the message to Melton that he cannot "break his parole with impunity"? Are we on the same planet here? Is logic allowed through the front door over there?
Melton Claims ‘Corruption at the Highest Level'
Today, Mayor Frank Melton, who is still in Texas, repeated a refrain to WLBT that he's used in the past:
Melton's Lawn Crew, Unveiled
The Jackson Free Press has learned that the head of a lawn service, financially seeded by Mayor Frank Melton, was arrested for armed robbery and rape in recent years. However, the young man tells the JFP that he pled to a lesser robbery charge, and the woman who accused him of rape in 2001 dropped the charge and is, in fact, the mother of one of his four children.
Judge Green: Court Should Sanction Danks
Today, Judge Green filed a motion with the Mississippi Supreme Court asking the court to sanction Melton's defense attorneys (PDF, 114 KB) for accusing her of a crime "without just cause."
Judge Webster: No Jail for Melton
Judge Joe Webster just dimissed probation violation charges against Mayor Frank Melton. The order reads in part:
Melton Missed Swimming Pools, Dog, Kids
Melton said this in The Clarion-Ledger today about his time in 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.
Unsealed Docs Unveil Melton's 'House Arrest
A transcript from a Nov. 15, 2006, meeting (PDF, 1.3mb) between Judge Tomie Green and Frank Melton, along with three of his attorneys, in her chambers reveals that the judge helped the mayor downplay the severity of his sentence after he pled to three gun charges. The transcript, unsealed March 6 by the judge in response to a request by Melton attorney Dale Danks, reveals for the first time that in order not to serve jail time, Melton agreed to a stringent form of "house arrest," under which he had to wear an electronic ankle bracelet, had to adhere to a schedule set by his probation officer and could not leave his home without notifying Probations Services Company of his intentions.
Frank's World
We're living through one of the worst D-movies one could imagine. In fact, this flick likely wouldn't get made in the first place because no one would buy it. Roll the videotape.
BREAKING: Melton Wants 'Extraordinary Relief'
The intrigue increases as the city watches to see if our mayor will be arrested for violating his probation. Attorneys for Mayor Frank Melton have filed an "emergency application for extraordinary relief," saying that Judge Tomie Green filed a decision with the circuit clerk yesterday that, in effect, would have given the Mississippi Supreme Court the jurisdiction to remove her from Melton's case. But, they say, she took back the motion at the end of the day.
Oh, the Sun, the Sun
Every couple months, I click into the Northside Sun's Web site to look at what their prize-winning columnists are talking about. It's always a mistake—or, better yet, a little humor journey funnier than readin The Onion. Here are a couple of this week's fun bits.
Growing the Arts in the New Jackson - Feb. 27
On the cusp of a new era for the arts in Jackson, the Greater Jackson Arts Council, with support from the Jackson Free Press, is hosting a free community forum 6 p.m. Tuesday at St. Andrews Cathedral (305 Capitol St., downtown). The forum will take stock of where we are: what individual artists and art groups are accomplishing; our dreams for Jackson; and how we can realize this dream together. The forum will look at the many opportunities and events currently happening and in the works in our area. This discussion will explore pertinent issues to our community and the progress being made. This discussion is about making the arts more accessible to both the artist and the audience. This forum engages the emerging arts community into the
AG Gonzales to Old Klansmen: ‘We Are Still on Your Trail'
The U.S. Department of Justice held a press conference this morning in Washington to announce the formation of a cold-cases division to pursue old civil-rights murders, such as the case of Charles Moore and Henry Dee. Here are his verbatim remarks: