Jackson Free Press

Attorney General Jim Hood told the Jackson Free Press that he has not opened a formal investigation into any possible lawbreaking by Jackson Mayor Frank Melton, despite headlines in the April 14 Clarion-Ledger reading: "Hood Probing Mayor's Method."

"Reporters asked him questions and he said 'I'm looking into it,'" A.G. Public Information Officer Jan Schaefer said. "Hood just said, 'I can't turn a blind eye to all the allegations going around in the press. I'll have to look into them.'"

A statement from Hood to the JFP says: "Everyone needs to be calm and patient. We will work through these allegations with Mayor Melton." Schaefer said if the A.G. were in the process of putting together an actual case, he would be unable to make a comment on it.

The Clarion-Ledger has recently run a laundry list of potential legal violations by the mayor, such as carrying a concealed handgun without a permit, and impersonating a police officer, because Melton wears a bullet-resistant vest with the label "police" on it.

The JFP first published allegations that Melton made improper financial inducements to witness Chris Walker in the murder trial of Albert "Batman" Donelson. District Attorney Faye Peterson filed a motion to drop the effort to prosecute Donelson because the defense planned to present witnesses testifying that Melton and MBN agents working with him had made promises and financial inducements—including an apartment in Ridgeland, a "Frank E. Melton" credit card and a car—to convince Walker to say that Albert Donelson had ordered the hit. Melton claims these offers were to protect Walker, not to influence his testimony.

Meanwhile, a member of the Donelson family tells the JFP that the family is talking to the A.G.'s Office about Melton's now infamous display on a Donelson family member's porch. On April 9, Melton arrived at the house on Huron Street with an entourage of heavily armed police and said: "Somebody in here threatening me? You all want to threaten me, so here I am, right here."

"He don't have no business going on people's property, going up in there with machine guns," the source told the JFP.

Previous Comments

ID

65905

Comment

I hope that the AG's office does not play politics with this and say that there was no wrongdoing on Melton's part. Melton's tactics are clearly unfair and biased toward anyone that does not play ball with him. It would be a shameful scandal for the mayor of the capitol city to be charged, but that would not reflect negatively on the AG's office. IMO it would show that the state's highest law officer shows no partiality toward lawbreakers. If Donelson were guilty of anything, Melton is giving him a get-out-of-jail-free-card. I implore the AG's office to treat this without predjuice. The whole nation is watching. What kind of message will this send if Melton is found to be within the law? I believe that the majority of the public wants justice done regardless of who it is but to find that nothing is out of order could open the door for vigilante justice/street justice.

Author

lance

Date

2006-04-24T16:01:38-06:00

ID

65906

Comment

It strikes me that they've already played politics by not looking at it all before now. And they're not the only ones.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-04-24T16:17:18-06:00

ID

65907

Comment

I repeat, Frank is off the chain. Hopefully, Hood can get him back on it.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2006-04-25T13:09:12-06:00

ID

65908

Comment

I have stated in previous blogs, and will continue to speak the same.....will someone targeted by FM PLEASE file a harrassment suit or at LEAST get a restraining order against this man? That might be the first step in stopping these cowboy antic's he routinely performs as he swaggers around Jackson in defiance of those rules/laws that govern the residents of this city. I, like the rest of Jackson have heard stories, tales, and questionable statements regarding Mr. Donelson. I would not presume to state he is OR is not guilty of the crimes that FM continues to attribute to him. HOWEVER, I will say, a jury of his peers stated his innocence and that is all that we have to go on! Believe it or not - it does not matter what any individual thinks. What does matter and is now a point of public record, is that the jury spoke and stated he was not guilty. I would most rapidly be filing AT LEAST a restraining order against FM after he showed up on my front door step, especially with JPD officers in a show of intimidation. Is the city now free of crime? Have all the 'bad guys' now been locked up so that they will not continue to perform drive-by's, car-jackings, house burglary, rape, murder, or even as mildly as speeding? If NOT, then why are we using our JPD officers to perform intimidation tactic's when they would be better served to be on the street trying to 'take back this city?" I spoke to a JPD officer recently who I have been friends with for a number of years. He stated to me that he is actively looking for another position in another town due to the bad press that FM is bringing onto the officers of Jackson. He simply stated that it is an embarressment to be associated with the police dept. right now, which I fully understand! The sad thing about this is, he is a really good officer, does his job and goes home to his family. He has been on the force for almost 6 years and stated he is putting in applications with our surrounding areas (Canton, Madison, Vicksburg, etc.) So once again the city will be losing money based on the antics of FM~ we (the city) paid to train this officer, have provided his salary and uniforms, etc. so that another city can benefit from what Jackson has done to train this man! Way to go Frank! Who will you get to chase around town with you, and intimidate people if other's choose to follow this one officer? Our police department already is under the acceptable and recommended number of officers, so don't worry - you can be the mayor, chief of police, detectives, AND patrolman!

Author

Katie D

Date

2006-04-25T17:41:44-06:00

ID

65909

Comment

Let me remind everyone that FM needs to go down! This is not a personal attack on someone who the press is just looking to destroy. This man's history (negative history) goes back before his tenure as mayor. The AG nor DA should be afraid to go after him. Where would the US be today if the reporters and investigators would not have pursued to investigate and reveal the Watergate Scandal. Is FM above the president of the U. S.? --- I think not. Get some guts, stick to it, and lets stop this man from destroying the city many of us love so much!!

Author

maad

Date

2006-04-25T21:07:04-06:00

ID

65910

Comment

I'm starting to wonder if Meltn's "meddling" tactics with criminals and the law is on purpose. taint it the truth.

Author

JSU

Date

2006-04-26T09:04:43-06:00

ID

65911

Comment

spoke to a JPD officer recently who I have been friends with for a number of years. He stated to me that he is actively looking for another position in another town due to the bad press that FM is bringing onto the officers of Jackson. Bad PR has been the resume of the JPD looong before Frank Melton. they don't need Frank for that, they do it oh so well on their own. the citizenry can vouch for that. Hell, my mom recently called the JPD because gunshots were fired in the middle of the night, in the middle of her STREET!...and JPD didn't show up til 45 mins. later citing that since no one was killed it was tagged as a "low-level" call. Talk about Bad PR!

Author

JSU

Date

2006-04-26T09:10:51-06:00