Melton Trial: Jordan Rules to Allow Alcohol Testimony; Taylor Takes the StandIn a major move, Judge Dan Jordan ruled this morning to allow testimony of Mayor Frank Melton's alleged alcohol consumption the night of the Ridgeway duplex destruction, as well as testimony from defense witness Daniel Smith stating that he bought …
Crematorium Owner Arrested Following Indictment[Verbatim statement] Jackson, MS-A Jackson crematorium owner has been arrested following a five count indictment by a Hinds County Grand Jury, announced Attorney General Jim Hood. Mark Seepe, owner of Mark Seepe Funeral Directors & Crematorium in Jackson, was taken …
City to Receive $14 Million in HUD FundsMayor Frank Melton told reporters today to look forward to about $11 million in federal funds coming to the city for the purchase and repair of foreclosed homes to put back on the market.
Melton Trial: Prosecution Calls Michael TaylorFederal prosecutors have just called Michael Taylor, a former Melton mentee, to the stand to testify. The government has apparently granted Taylor immunity in exchange for his testimony. More to come soon.
Melton Trial: Prosecutors Call Duplex Owner Jennifer Sutton as WitnessThe U.S. government called Ridgeway Street duplex owner Jennifer Sutton as their second witness in the federal civil-rights trial of Jackson Mayor Frank Melton today. Crying as she looked a photos of the August 2006 damage, Sutton told the courtroom …
Defense Attorneys Try to Block AG's Letter From Melton TrialShortly after Mississippi Attorney General Jim hood took the stand this morning during Mayor Frank Melton's federal civil-rights trial, defense attorneys for Melton and Recio moved to block a May 26, 2006, letter Hood sent to Melton warning him about …
Melton Trial Opening Statements Start TodayThe federal civil-rights trial of Mayor Frank Melton and former mayoral bodyguard Michael Recio began this morning with opening statements followed by witness testimony. Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood was the first witness. Melton and Recio are charged with intentionally …
UPDATED: Judge Finalizes Jury For Melton TrialAfter five grueling days of questioning potential jurors, Judge Dan Jordan seated 12 jurors and 3 alternates for the federal civil-rights trial of Jackson Mayor Frank Melton and his former bodyguard Michael Recio Friday afternoon.
McCoy Urges Barbour Against Cold Feet on StimulusMississippi House Speaker Billy McCoy offered a public plea Thursday to Gov. Haley Barbour to accept federal money offered through a proposed congressional stimulus package worth more than $800 billion. The House is considering the package to jump-start the faltering …
Paul ForsterPaul Forster is the teacher you wanted to have in high school. Among his many interests, one of his most intriguing is his desire to be an organic farmer.
Union Leader Brenda Scott Announces Mayoral RunBrenda Scott, President of the Mississippi Alliance of State Employees, threw her hat in the ring for mayor of Jackson on Monday. Speaking to Jackson Free Press yesterday, she promised to be a "common-sense mayor of the common people."
Defense Cannot Use Prostitute Allegation Against BodyguardFederal District Judge Dan Jordan ruled this morning that defense attorneys for Mayor Frank Melton and former bodyguard Michael Recio cannot use allegations of sexual misconduct by former bodyguard Marcus Wright to impugn his testimony or character during the civil …
Jury Selection Begins in Melton-Recio TrialThe thrice-delayed federal civil rights trial of Mayor Frank Melton and bodyguard Michael Recio kicked off Monday in the federal courthouse in downtown Jackson for the destruction of a private home in August 2006, a story first reported by the …
Harvey's Running For Mayor, AgainFormer Jackson mayor Harvey Johnson announced his candidacy for mayor on Saturday. Speaking in front of the Jackson Convention Complex, Johnson pointed to achievements from his two mayoral terms.
Judge Sets Rules For 'Inflammatory' Melton Trial EvidenceA federal judge heard arguments Friday on admitting evidence in the civil rights trial of Mayor Frank Melton and his former police bodyguard, Michael Recio. Most of the five-hour hearing concerned allegations of sexual misconduct made against star prosecution witness …
Did Mayor Use Teen Funeral Remarks to Taint Jury Pool?WAPT is reporting that Mayor Frank Melton ditched the proclamation he was supposed to read in deceased teen Chris Ulmer's honor; instead, he defended himself against the federal civil rights charges he faces in court next week. Melton skipped an …
Mississippi Truth Project to Probe State's Race HistoryI am thrilled to share the news that a Mississippi Truth Project is officially kicking off this Saturday in Jackson. A major goal of the project is to create a Mississippi Truth Commission similar to those in Greensboro, N.C., and …
Senate Passes Lower Cigarette Tax IncreaseThe Mississippi Senate approved a 49 cents per pack cigarette tax yesterday, setting the stage for a compromise with the House, which passed a $1 per pack tax two weeks ago. By a 42-7 vote, senators passed a revised version …
Melton Police Witnesses To Appear In CourtJackson police officers are among those scheduled to appear in court this morning at an evidentiary hearing for the federal trial of Mayor Frank Melton and his former bodyguard Michael Recio.
Gannett Earnings Drop 16% in 2008, 22% QuarterNews is grim today at the Gannett Corp., which owns The Clarion-Ledger. A company press release (PDF) reveals the news that earnings overall dropped 16 percent in 2008 and 22 percent in the last quarter alone. It is rumored that …
BREAKING: U.S. Attorney Dunn Lampton To RetireU.S. Attorney Dunn Lampton, who was instrumental in bringing corruption charges against Mississippi attorney Paul Minor and former state Supreme Court Justice Oliver Diaz in 2005, has announced his retirement, effective Jan. 31. A press release (PDF, 37 KB) issued …
Habitat Builds, Dedicates Its First Home In Clinton[Verbatim From Habitat For Humanity] HFH/MJ is proud to announce the dedication of their very first home built in Clinton on Thursday, January 29th, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. The blessing will take place on the property located at 1005 Neal …
Merrill "Mo" McKewenWhile working as a project coordinator, events planner and/or fundraiser for more than a dozen non-profit clients, McKewen, who prefers you call her "Mo," has raised two daughters, taught at Murrah and Peeples, and volunteered for several community events.
The 2009 JFP Interview With John HorhnJohn Horhn, 53, recently reclaimed his District 26 Senate for a fifth term, but now he wants to be mayor of Jackson. A self-proclaimed "lifelong resident of Jackson," and a product of Jackson Public Schools, Horhn won the then-newly created …
Gulfport Mayor Indicted On Katrina FraudGulfport Mayor Brent Warr and his wife, Laura Jean Warr, were indicted today on charges of fraud stemming from false claims the couple filed after Hurricane Katrina.
New Report Finds Health and Income Disparities Among MississippiansA new report commissioned by the Mississippi NAACP reveals a disparity in health and income among Mississippi blacks and whites. the report, "A Portrait of Mississippi: Mississippi Human Development Report 2009," finds that while the average white Mississippian earns between …
Previous JFP coverage of Michael Taylor
Paul Forster is the teacher you wanted to have in high school. Among his many interests, one of his most intriguing is his desire to be an organic farmer.
While working as a project coordinator, events planner and/or fundraiser for more than a dozen non-profit clients, McKewen, who prefers you call her "Mo," has raised two daughters, taught at Murrah and Peeples, and volunteered for several community events.
John Horhn, 53, recently reclaimed his District 26 Senate for a fifth term, but now he wants to be mayor of Jackson. A self-proclaimed "lifelong resident of Jackson," and a product of Jackson Public Schools, Horhn won the then-newly created …