Melton to File Another Lawsuit ... Against Donelson?
Mayor Frank Melton seems to be in a litigious mood this week. First, he filed a lawsuit against The Clarion-Ledger that many believe is frivolous (reported first by the JFP). Now, he is telling WLBT that he is planning to file a civil suit against Albert "Batman" Donelson for murders he has not been convicted of, including two he hasn't been tried for:
Ladd's Barbara Blackmon Show Spot Re-Airs Wednesday
This show is re-airing on Public Access in Jackson Wednesday, April 19, at 7:30 p.m.
BREAKING: Frank Melton Sues Clarion-Ledger
Melton told the JFP Friday that he was planning to file a lawsuit against the paper.
April 18, 2006—Sources tell the Jackson Free Press tonight that Mayor Frank Melton has filed a civil lawsuit against The Clarion-Ledger for damages in the Hinds County Circuit Court. He is alleging breach of contract in the case filed by Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics agents. Melton claims that when he provided a memo, written by then-MBN deputy Roy Sandifer, to The Clarion-Ledger that he had an "oral contract" with the reporter to check the facts contained therein. The memo, which detailed wrongdoing by the agents, was later found to be largely false by the state auditor's office. Sandifer is now assistant chief of the Jackson Police Department.
Council Rejects Melton Budget; Stokes Drops Coup Effort
More details soon ...
Just got word that the City Council has rejected the Melton adminstration's new budget with its $3 increase in garbage fees. Also, Kenneth Stokes has withdrawn his coup attempt to unseat President Marshand Crisler—who has become a leading critic of the mayor, as well as the council members who vote in lockstep with him: Frank Bluntson, Charles Tillman, as well as Stokes. Four council members joined forces to reject the budget as presented: Ben Allen, Margaret Barrett-Simon, Leslie McLemore and Crisler.
BREAKING: Melton Responds to "Batman" Release
The man that Mayor Frank Melton admits being "obsessed" with has been released from jail tonight. He, along with brother Terrell Donelson and James Benton, were acquitted last week of the murder of Aaron Crockett. District Attorney Faye Peterson filed a motion yesterday asking for his release due to weak evidence. She filed documents that show the the primary witness, provided by Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics when Melton was at the helm, is unreliable and perhaps tainted by promises and payments by Melton.
On The Road Again with Frank Melton
On Sunday, April 2, photographer Jaro Vacek and I went to Frank Melton's home on 2 Carters Grove to meet with the mayor's Mobile Command Center crew for a night on the town, so to speak. First, though, Melton showed us his home, his mammoth bedroom, his swimming pool underneath his bedroom (the room is the same length as the pool, he said), his "TV room" with a huge theater screen and 10 gray recliners, his "bat cave" (as Judge Karen Gilfoy used to call his office), his kitchen overflowing with food.
Gunning For Guns
In a new war on guns in Jackson, Mayor Frank Melton said Sunday that he is preparing an executive order outlawing gun shows in the city limits of Jackson.
'Batman' Acquitted; Melton 'Arrests' Own Witness
Last week saw a whirlwind of activity from Mayor Frank Melton surrounding the trial of three Wood Street Players—a group of alleged criminals that he calls his "obsession."
JUST IN MONDAY: Key Witness Turns Self in to Melton
Monday, 9:30 p.m.: According to Mayor Frank Melton tonight, Christopher "Smiley" Walker turned himself into the mayor tonight and is now in custody. Melton refuses to publicly disclose Walker's whereabouts, telling the JFP tonight, "I arrested him to protect him. They're trying to kill this kid." More details as they develop ...
UPDATED: ‘Batman' and Gang Acquitted
Alleged Wood Street Players gang members Albert "Batman" Donelson, Terrell Donelson and James Benton were acquitted on charges that Albert Donelson ordered the murder of Aaron Crockett on May 10, 2001, from the Hinds County jail, and that the two other men set about to carry out that murder. The jury deliberated for less than two hours. Immediately afterward, Mayor Frank Melton vowed that be would arrest "Batman" again—that he would not be going home.
Batman and Melton Return
A showdown of sorts between District Attorney Faye Peterson and Mayor Frank Melton occurred on Monday in Circuit Court Judge Bobby DeLaughter's courtroom, during motions in the trial of alleged Wood Street Players gang members.
Sunday In The Parking Lot With Bullets
A night of cruising went wrong Sunday night for two 21-year-old identical twins from Flora, when a bit of boisterous gun play left one of them dead and the other covered in blood driving around the city with Mayor Frank Melton looking for the people who killed his brother and perhaps wounded two other people.
Now Online—The JFP Interview with Frank Melton
The wait is over. Almost. Frank Melton's JFP Interview. Part I.
Former D.A. Ed Peters to Prosecute Nudity Cases
Just in/verbatim from city:
At the request of the City Attorney, Sarah O'Reilly-Evans and pursuant to court order, former Hinds County District Attorney Ed Peters will begin prosecution of the January 29th cases involving nudity on April 5, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. in Jackson Municipal Court. These violations involving Gilbert Paige, Manager of Centerfolds and Centerfolds' dancer Paula Young were discovered during a general walk through of night clubs in the West Street Area by Mayor Frank Melton and two Jackson Police Officers.
House Concurrent Resolution 114 To Resurrect Bills
[verbatim] House Concurrent Resolution 114
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SUSPENDING THE DEADLINES FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE FURTHER CONSIDERATION AND PASSAGE OF CERTAIN BILLS THAT DIED IN CONFERENCE.
Clarion-Ledger Whining About ‘Tort Reform' ... Again
Gov. Haley Barbour's media partner in "tort reform" is now whining about Mississippi's position on the U.S. Chamber's state legal climate ranking, now asking the question they should have asked long ago before taking this political propaganda as gospel: "Does this ranking really mean anything?" With all due respects, the Ledge was played as a bunch of dumbasses on the "tort reform" issue -- see the JFP's cover story, "Hoodwinked!" that explains how -- and maybe they'll start figuring it out sometime soon. Meantime, a snippet of today's edit-whine:
Abortion Ban Attempt Dies in Conference
More details as they develop ...
Tonight, the 8 p.m. bill deadline came and went at the Mississippi Legislature without an agreement out of conference. Thus, the abortion ban bill died.
Barbour Vetoes ‘Partnership' Bill
GOVERNOR'S VETO MESSAGE FOR HOUSE BILL 1115 -March 27, 2006-
I am returning House Bill 1115: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-13-403, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS IN THE HEALTH CARE TRUST FUND LAW; TO AMEND SECTION 43-13-405, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT ALL TOBACCO SETTLEMENT INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS MADE TO THE STATE SHALL BE DEPOSITED INTO THE HEALTH CARE TRUST FUND, INCLUDING ANY SETTLEMENT PAYMENTS MADE UNDER COURT ORDER FOR TOBACCO CESSATION PROGRAMS, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS ACT; TO EXTEND THE DATE OF THE REPEALER ON THAT SECTION;
New Orleans Saints to Play in Jackson in August
[verbatim] For the second time in as many years, the New Orleans Saints are bringing NFL football to Mississippi, playing the Indianapolis Colts at Jackson's Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. With the state being a substantial part of the club's fan base, the Saints return to Jackson after holding the club's annual Black & Gold Scrimmage at the stadium in 2005. Part of what made this game possible was the involvement of BankPlus as an official sponsor of the event.
JFP Lounge Thursday Night!
Come on out and join us at the monthly JFP Lounge Thursday night, March 23, from 7:30 to 11 p.m. in the Oyster Bar at Hal & Mal's. Just a gathering of creatives and progressive thinkers. Make new friends and network. Come alone, or bring friends. Free munchies. Non-smoking (can smoke at the main bar). We're combining parties, so to speak, with a wrap party for the film Todd has been working on in Canton. So it'll be a double-whammy tonight of creative juices (if anybody has any left).
Shooting Blanks
"I've made a lot of enemies from that abortion bill, but I'm tired of Republicans beating the hell out of Democrats over that issue."
Diocese Settles with 'Alleged Victims'
After many years of pain, suffering and litigation, 19 victims of priest sexual abuse are seeing some degree of closure in their fight with the Catholic Diocese of Jackson.
Plight Worsens for Black Men
The New York Times is reporting:
We Won't See If We Don't Look
The New York Times today present a "grim portrait" of the prisoner abuse committed by the U.S. in a secret unit in Iraq:
The Real Reason for the Iraq Invasion? Guess.
According to a New York Times book review, Kevin Phillips' new book, "American Theocracy," warns not only about the dangerous policies of the current administration—but of the American trends that put them there:
Mary Johnson: Where's My House?
The Clarion-Ledger had a good story yesterday about Mary Johnson, to whom Frank Melton promised a new house if she would tear down her old one. The problem, of course, was in follow-through. She lost her house—and now the city's too busy with other things to get her new house built.
Open Chick Thread: Let ‘Er Rip!
This one's for whatever chick-related item is on your mind. And, yes, guys (or, at the least the ones who respect chicks) can post here, too. (Tom?)
Shop, Girl: Oooo, Raspberry Purses!
OK, grrls, here's your open thread for shopping this week. One can't talk about politics and philosophy all the time, you know.
‘My Mama's In the Jackson Free Press'
I just found the coolest posting ever on the blog of our new writer, Tiffany Fitch. The whole thing is delightful—and love her props to Rebekah's cover—but nothing beats this line:
JFP Debuts New Chick Blog
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Announcing our brand-new Chick Blog, a fun and serious collection of writings and blogs by and about women. You won't just find stories about lip gloss here, but you'll find some of those, too. Enjoy, my chickadees, and the men who are obsessed with us. You're welcome in the Chick Chamber, too, as long as you're respectful of the grrls in charge.
Jackson Catholic Sexual Abuse Cases Settled
Today, attorneys announced that 19 plaintiffs suing the Catholic Diocese for past sexual abuse have settled with the church. The PDF of the announcement is posted here.
FBI Presents DA with Report on Emmett Till
The Associated Press is reporting:
The long awaited report into the 1955 killing of Emmett Till concludes no federal charges will be filed in the case, but District Attorney Joyce L. Chiles will make the decision on state charges, the FBI says. The FBI turned the report over to Chiles' office on Thursday. Chiles, who was trying a case in Leflore County, was not immediately available for comment.
St. Paddy's & SPQ Photos in JFP Galleries!
All, be sure to check out the JFP Galleries for several packages of photos of last year's St. Paddy's madness in Jackson. We'll be out and about again this year collecting photos for a new round of galleries. So check back next week after the craziness subsides.
Barbour Vetoes Tobacco-Grocery Tax Bill
Following is Gov. Haley Barbour's statement today vetoing the popular effort to raise the tax on cigarettes and lower the tax on on groceries. Note that he is repeating his past statement about the effect the tax-switch would have on local governments—even though his allegations on that front are disputed by the State Tax Commission. As quoted in Adam Lynch's report this week on this issue:
The Choices Chicks Make
I spoke to a roomful of young chicks recently. We were all packed into the charming old depot in Forest, Miss., some 40 miles from where I grew up in Neshoba County. They've renovated the building into a downtown art gallery and performance space in a small town where such cultural offerings are unusual.
Cecilia Reese Bullock
Every time I'm in the presence of Cecilia Reese Bullock, a construction-company owner and real-estate mogul, some guy tries to pick her up. At least one. Usually more.
Generals Telling Truth About ‘Dash to Baghdad'
As Iraq teeters on a civil war the U.S. cannot control, the New York Times has an in-depth story about what happened with generals who protested the U.S.' initial rush into Baghdad:
Ledger Scrutinizes Melton's Bahamas Trip
It's great to see The Clarion-Ledger follow up our tip from last Friday about Melton and his two bodyguards flying to the Bahamas. This is the way local media should work together to get at the truth. See their story today:
‘I Will Cream You Personally'
Looks like we left the press conference too soon yesterday! The Clarion-Ledger is reporting today that Mayor Frank Melton threatened one of their reporters:
Melton: Police Taking Over Court Services; No Crime Stats to Media
UPDATE March 16, 2006: This is now a full transcript of the mayor's press conference, addressing many issues—from crime stats to his pursuit of the Wood Street Players.
Bush Helps the Gautier Family Rebuild
And did I mention condescending?
This is so incredibly offensive.
Bill Minor Rips Sid Salter, The Chipper, et al
Columnist Bill Minor rips the Ledge's Sid Salter a well-deserved new one over his playing into the partisan Mississippi-vs.-Louisiana rhetoric. This has been one of the toughest political games to watch since Katrina: one victim state pitted against another one. And it started immediately. (We also like the way Mr. Minor rips "the Chipper" for his FEMA flip-flop. Preach, brother.)
Testimony of Gov. Haley Barbour about Katrina - March 7
Testimony of Governor Haley Barbour to U. S. Senate Committee on Appropriations
Thank you for this opportunity to join you today to discuss the worst natural disaster in our nation's history, Hurricane Katrina. First, we in Mississippi greatly need and genuinely appreciate the generous Katrina appropriations package you passed and the President signed in December. Thank you.
Lott, Cochran Introduce Bill for Offshore Gulf Drilling
[verbatim statement] A bill to direct revenues to Mississippi and other Gulf states, generated by the expansion of deepwater oil and gas leasing in the Gulf of Mexico, was introduced in the U.S. Senate Wednesday by Senators Trent Lott and Thad Cochran of Mississippi. The bill, authored by Senator Lott, is a response to legislation now before the Congress which proposes to open about three million acres in the Gulf's Lease Sale 181 Area, 123 miles southeast of Biloxi but which fails to provide any coastal impact assistance to states like Mississippi from the revenues that will be generated from the offshore oil and gas drilling.
Pack Up and Get Out!
Video still courtesy of WAPT-TV 16
What a week. As our last issue went to press, Mayor Frank Melton was in the middle of a tantrum about alleged "Wood Street Gang" associate Vidal Sullivan going free after a witness recanted his story to the district attorney. By the end of the week, Melton was basking in the Bahamas, and Sullivan was back on the streets as a free man, according to law enforcement insiders and friends of Sullivan who say they talked to him within hours of his brief visit with Melton on Wednesday night.
Mississippians to Protest Abortion Bill TODAY
[verbatim] Alright! Tuesday, March 7, 2006 @ 2:00-3:30 all activists who are outraged with the latest attempts to ban ALL abortions in MS, join us at the MS state capitol for a protest! Bring signs, some will be provided, but the supply is scarce. We, the pro-choice community (and those of you who are on the down low), have been too quiet and unseen for too long. Please join us!!!! The women and girls of MS are counting on us to defend their constitutional right to choose!! KEEP ABORTION SAFE!! KEEP ABORTION LEGAL!!!
Mississippi ACLU Outraged at ‘Irresponsible' Abortion Bill
ACLU OUTRAGED IN THE IRRESPONSIBLE ACTION OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Jackson, MS-- The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of MS is outraged by the recent vote of the Mississippi House of Representatives to ban abortions in the state. Not only does a ban on abortion threaten women's health and lives, it is unconstitutional and will be challenged in court. Under current Supreme Court precedent, a ban on abortion will be struck down.