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 …
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.
Previous JFP coverage of Michael Taylor