Blog: Jackblog

Entries for March, 2014

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Byrom's Conviction Reversed, New Trial Ordered

Earlier today, the Mississippi Supreme Court reversed Michelle Byrom's capital murder conviction and ordered a new trial. Justice Josiah Dennis Coleman signed the order. Byrom had originally been convicted in the 1999 murder of her husband, Edward Byrom Sr. Byrom, 56, had been on death row, and at one point ...

Gulf Coast News Anchor Wants LGBTs to Take 'Gaycation'

Romenesko got a hold of an undated screenshot of a Gulf Coast-based news anchor's Facebook status that advises same-sex-loving folks to take a "gaycation" because the anchor thinks they've been in the news too much. "I'm all for the LGBT community's ongoing fight for equality. I support their fight in ...

Jackson Zoo Retains Accreditation

Jackson, MS - Jackson Zoo and City Officials received news during the annual mid-year conference of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums from the Accreditation Board, that the Jackson Zoo will retain accreditation.

Couple Records Same-Sex Marriage in Rankin County; First Known in State

The Campaign for Southern Equality just sent this verbatim press statement: Gay Couple Records Legal Marriage License in Mississippi Creating First Known Public Record of Same-Sex Marriage in State (March 24, 2014) - On March 24, Anna Guillot and Chrissy Kelly, a same-sex couple, paid $12 to record their legal ...

Harassment Suit Against JSU's Vivian Fuller Dismissed

Jackson State University released the following statement regarding the dismissal of a sexual harassment lawsuit against Athletic Director Vivian Fuller: U.S. District Judge William H. Barbour, Jr., on March 13 dismissed the sexual harassment lawsuit filed against Jackson State University, JSU Director of Athletics Dr. Vivian L. Fuller and JSU ...

Jim Hood Orders 2 Executions then Defends U.S. Human Rights in Geneva

Last week, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood was in Geneva, Switzerland representing the U.S. before the United Nations Human Rights Committee. Hood, the only Democrat holding statewide office in Mississippi, serves as president-elect of the National Association of Attorneys General, and "responded to the committee’s questions concerning the death penalty, ...

Oxford, Miss., Passes Pro-LGBT Resolution, 3rd Mississippi College Town to Do So

Just in, verbatim: Oxford, MS Unanimously Passes Pro-LGBT Resolution Third Mississippi city to pass resolution recognizing the role LGBT people play in thriving communities WASHINGTON - Tonight Oxford, Mississippi unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the dignity and worth of all city residents - including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual ...

Mayor Lumumba's Son Responds to Accusations that He Was Murdered

Over the weekend, various media outlets—irresponsibly in our opinion—published unsubstantiated rumors that Mayor Chokwe Lumumba was murdered, but with no evidence attached. Mayor Chokwe Lumumba's son, Chokwe Antar Lumumba, gave the following statement to R.L. Nave of the Jackson Free Press this morning responding to comments of Hinds County Supervisor ...