Jackson Free Press

We've gotten a report that Mr. Melton and Chief Anderson have released Mr. Sullivan, and that he is free again. We have not confirmed this report with a second source, yet.

That is the question of the day. Even, The Clarion-Ledger is asking it, in no uncertain terms?

A day after a reputed gang associate Vidal Sullivan turned himself in to Jackson's mayor and police chief, no one is saying where he is - or if he has been charged with anything. Local jails don't have a record of him, and his family members and former attorney said Thursday they had not heard from him since he appeared in court Wednesday evening with Mayor Frank Melton and police Chief Shirlene Anderson.

The Hinds County district attorney says she has not been kept up to date on Sullivan, and the City Council president calls the mayor's actions confusing.

Anderson did not return telephone calls seeking comment Thursday. Melton would only say he could not reveal Sullivan's whereabouts or the charges he faces because of a gag order issued by Municipal Court Judge Mel Priester.

Melton said a police investigation "is a lot deeper" than Sullivan. "I know it's the craziest thing you've ever seen, but I know how to deal with people like this."

Previous Commentsshow

Perhaps Sullivan has been fitted with a new pair of concrete shoes and is sleeping with the fishes...

Jeff Lucas

Mar 3 2006

Perhaps Sullivan has been fitted with a new pair of concrete shoes and is sleeping with the fishes...

Jeff Lucas

Mar 3 2006

Uh, why was a person as dangerous as Melton claimed Sullivan was, riding int vehicle with Melton and Anderson without any handcuffs or restraints? Why hasn't Melton at least publicly thanked the SWAT team for their efforts Why do we still not have a copy of this mysterious warrant? Why ask why?

lance

Mar 3 2006

"Why?" is precisely the question that all of us--particularly the members of the City Council--should be asking!

Kacy

Mar 3 2006

not only was the 'bad' guy riding with melton, but they're saying he (Sullivan) may be placed in protective custody. same guy who is sooo dangerous to the community. same guy the mayor was so obsessed with finding.

notme

Mar 3 2006

Kenn, it does make you wonder "why!" He is leaving way too much room for speculation regardless if he eventually resolves this within the bounds of the law. This day to day "what if" games we play with this man are getting quite old. Yet, so many of us love this town and hate to see it messed up at the helm of a man who greatest accomplishment so far as mayor is proving the "Peter Principle" correct.

pikersam

Mar 3 2006

I KNOW WHERE VIDAL SULLIVAN IS! He's at Frank's place in Tyler! Working on the adoption papers now!

Rex

Mar 3 2006

Pikersam: This whole thing is so scary such that I'm afraid of the City's (i.e., OUR) gaping exposure to legal liability as a result of these maniacal actions. The silence of all to many of our 'leaders' is eerily deafening!

Kacy

Mar 3 2006

"...'too' many"..., I meant to write.

Kacy

Mar 3 2006

jeez. someone, anyone: what are our options as far as recalls go? also: who will succeed him in the interim? i need a drink or eight.

Jay

Mar 3 2006

No options in Mississippi for a recall. Best we can do is hope he gets mad enough to take is toys and goes home. As for the interim, I think that would go to the president of the council.

Rex

Mar 3 2006

If this is true, maybe Mr. Sullivan is less dangerous today than he was three days ago? Maybe a good lecture goes a long way. Also, Mr. Melton is out of Jackson today and will not return to City Hall until Wednesday. He was seen flying (commercial) to Dallas this morning. From there, an observer from Jackson said that he and two gentlemen—one white, one black—were inquiring about boarding a flight to Miami, but did not see whether they got on that flight. We received this e-mail in response to a request we made today to Public Information Officer Nash Nunnery requesting Mr. Melton's location and public schedule: Donna, The Mayor is out of town and will not be back at City Hall until Wednesday. Both his admin asst. and Carolyn Redd have confirmed but have no other information. Thanks, Nash Nunnery

DonnaLadd

Mar 3 2006

hmmm... Sounds like Frank just a a real NEED to talk to this guy...alone ...no witnesses. Done. Sullivan free? Frank is flying... to Dallas ...and Miami?

Rex

Mar 3 2006

We don't know how it all washes out. Public information and accountability does. not. exist. in this city. But a good source tells us Vidal is free, and another one saw Frank et al at the Miami ticket counter in Dallas. I can just tell y'all what we are told. Is it possible that Sullivan went free today and Frank went to Miami? Yes. Do we know for certain? No. But the information flow is so bad out of this city right now that we are telling you what we can.

DonnaLadd

Mar 3 2006

do they still make that stuff?

*SuperStar*

Mar 3 2006

sounds like there's a lot more to the mayor and sullivan that anyone know. wonder what does the sullivan guy know. ya'll had a mayor who was not a crook, not embrassing and not a live cannon, but you guys thought the grass was greener on the other side. this whole thing would be funny if it wasn't so scary.

notme

Mar 3 2006

Hey, don't include all of us here in "you guys," notme. Many folks here didn't fall for it -- although I don't lambaste those who did. However, those who continue to defend these actions, well, fooled once, fooled twice ... you know the rest.

DonnaLadd

Mar 3 2006

Updates of a fashion: 1. Some high-ranking city officials were told by police that Sullivan was released within hours of turning himself in. 2. A high-ranking official told us that he was told Melton went to the Bahamas this weeken. 3. Another high-ranking official said Melton said he was going to Dallas today. Now, sort all that out.

DonnaLadd

Mar 3 2006

Well, whatever Melton said to Sullivan, I hope that it worked. Now who is going to give Frank a lecture? So sad......all of this drama and build-up the last few days. Melton should have simply gotten word to Sullivan that he needed to see him. We have had SWAT Teams, FBI, and who knows who looking for a man that we were led to believe to be more dangerous than Charles Manson. Now after a few hours together and he is free again and Frank's probably gone to DisneyWorld.

lance

Mar 3 2006

Geez, this is incredible! What will the charlatan do next?

Kacy

Mar 3 2006

Geez, this is incredible! What will the charlatan do next?

Kacy

Mar 3 2006

The two men with Melton were probably his body guards who shadow him EVERYWHERE! One is a tall white man, the other a shorter black man who is the younger of the two.

realtime

Mar 4 2006

Vidal Sassoon...Lenny, you beat me to it! SuperStar, the shampoo line is pretty much gone in the U.S./Europe due to some legal issues with P&G, but they still have hair appliances and accessories on the market. If you're deperate for some shampoo and conditioner, you'll probably have to get it on eBay. As for Sullivan, I'm not surprised that he may be out. Not too many things surprise me anymore around here.

LatashaWillis

Mar 4 2006

Vidal Sullivan is walking the streets of Jackson, Ms. again. A high ranking official who was in the court room during the special hearing confided that this was just political. And, there was nothing to the special hearing. Just trying to keep FM from looking stupid. Not to mention justify speanding tax payers money on having the SWAT team looking for FM's most dangerous person. Good for T.V. Don't be fooled!

Lspd2

Mar 4 2006

Not to mention justify speanding tax payers money on having the SWAT team looking for FM's most dangerous person. I would LOVE to see a report on how the city's money has been spent by Melton since he got in office. Something wreaks, and it's not my feet.

LatashaWillis

Mar 4 2006

Kim Wade stated on his Friday afternoon radio show that Sullivan is in the Canton Jail. I think we are entitled to an explanation of this. I remember being told by employees of MNB that Melton just pulls this type of stunt to grandstand. Guess we should have listened to them. Unfortunately this type of hype makes some folks believe Frank is doing a great job.

realtime

Mar 5 2006

i dont get what all of you are mad about look frank said this guy is dangerous im sure he is dangerous im also sure that the alamo theater shows movies and that there is gonna be a studio on farish street now yall need to quit slowing down melton with all of these legality and constitutional issues melton dont need no stinkin laws he is the law

skipp

Mar 6 2006

melton dont need no stinkin laws he is the law Two words: CRA-ZY. LOL!!!

LatashaWillis

Mar 6 2006

When the rules of law are abrogated, we fall into chaos. Frank is beginning to look like a dictator of a third world country--such as Haiti. I want to know why Frank is not being charged with kidnapping. I think the FBI and Faye Peterson should investigate. And while they're at it, what about the Civil Rights division of the Justice Department. But wait--I've figured it out--the black helicopters are coming to get Vidal to thwart a plot to kill President Bush!!! HDMatthias, MD

HDMatthias, MD

Mar 6 2006

I want to know why Frank is not being charged with kidnapping. I've been asking myself the same question.

LatashaWillis

Mar 6 2006

Black helicopters? Black SUV. Step inside and vanish *POOF*

JLYerg

Mar 7 2006

OK, so we were right Friday: Melton went to the Bahamas last week, presumably with his two bodyguards. We are happy to report that we do not believe that the young black man with him in the Texas airport was Sullivan. Odd, though, that Mr. Melton told another city official that he was going to Dallas. Yes, he went to Dallas -- apparently to fly to Miami and then the Bahamas.

DonnaLadd

Mar 7 2006

Skipp, I am confused by your post. Is that sarcasm? I definitly hope so. If Frank Melton is the law then why hasn't he done those things already. Maybe becasue there are laws that he has to follow. I am all for Melton but his technique is horrible.

Melishia

Mar 7 2006

Who was it that said "people get the government they deserve"? Often, it seems, a large number (sometimes a large majority) do not even bother to vote and when they do they vote based on their fears such as (crime -- boo!!) or terrorists (boo again) instead of on a reasonable analysis of what is actually in the best interests of society. Do we deserve what we have?

FreeClif

Mar 7 2006

yea WHIT you're right. Do we deserve what we have? Unfortunately, but absolutely. If some could not see through the current mayor before or during his campaign, shame, shame, shame!! So, tell me someone, why is sullivan in protective custody if he is the "dangerous" one?

notme

Mar 7 2006

THAT is a GREAT question! I wonder why the CL hasn't asked it.

FreeClif

Mar 7 2006

Actually, I've been wondering the same thing. Just who is he being protected from?

DonnaLadd

Mar 7 2006

Ladies and gentlemen, Conspiracy Theory #1 V. Sullivan apparently has incriminating info on FM, and FM needed to get to him to threaten him. So, he would use his official position to get to him as soon as possible. (JPD SWAT, US Marshals, FBI) Once the little birdie was dropped in V. Sullivan's ear, he is released scared to death. Not talking because he really doesn’t know the meaning of Court Order "Gag". Conspiracy Theory #2 "Dixie Land Mafia" Now, back to reality. All City of Jackson Council Members, I challenge you guys to ask: -Why do bodyguards has to travel out of state with FM on vacation not related to City Business? -When one is not raising questions in reference to a colleague unethical practice, is it safe to assume you agree? -What are you doing to protect the image of politics in Mississippi; you know Ms. is ranked #1 in public corruption? -Why the "Major" news media outlets in Jxn., MS. are not covering this unethical behavior with a sense of urgency? (The longer it goes on, the more money it will cost taxpayers) -Does anyone care about the citizen in Jackson, Ms. anymore? -Also, Council Members elections will be right around the corner before you know it! Just something to think about, while YOU allow this madness to continue

Lspd2

Mar 7 2006

Skipp, I am confused by your post. Is that sarcasm? Yes, it was. Why do bodyguards has to travel out of state with FM on vacation not related to City Business? Melton's always had bodyguards. When I heard him speak in school assemblies, he had bodyguards then. He said it was to protect him from criminals who were mad at him from exposing them. It sounded cool when I was a kid, but now...not so much.

LatashaWillis

Mar 7 2006

Lspd2, i've heard your Conspiracy Theory #1 before. I also heard that melton was afraid of sullivan and wanted him off the street. Why the bodyguards traveling and who's paying for their expenses? Why the public nor the media take issue with the mayor being caught in lies every other day? Why there are no projects, major or otherwise being submitted to city council? why is the City on hold while the mayor plays cops and robbers and vacations? what is going on in our City besides police business?

notme

Mar 8 2006

"what is going on in our City besides police business?" Well, there's a whole lot of SHAKING going on!" Some are shaking their heads and some are shaking in their boots! Seriously, where do each of you fit? I might add, some are tenaciously holding on to their blinders. Good question about WHO is paying the body guards. Are they paid 24/7? City paying? Melton paying? Should be public record.

ChrisCavanaugh

Mar 8 2006

Guess I should add: None are shaking their "boodies" if this Mayor has anything to do with it!!

ChrisCavanaugh

Mar 8 2006

Regarding the body guards, one of the men who seems to act as Melton's body guard is Marcus Wright. He carried the MP5 submachine gun at the Maple Street Apartments "raid," and he was the one who physically barred reporters from Priester's courtroom. Whether he was with Melton in the Bahamas is anyone's guess, but it is important to note that the man is a police officer. He is a detective with the JPD whose assignment is listed as "dignitary protection".

Brian C Johnson

Mar 8 2006

Good question about WHO is paying the body guards. Are they paid 24/7? City paying? Melton paying? Should be public record. Yes, it should be, Chris. You wouldn't believe the stack of public-records requests our little newspaper has submitted to the city. They either ignore us, give us partial information, or tell us that they don't have to give us information that they clearly have to under the law. They are above the law, according to their actions. And even what they do give us, they won't give us until the very last day required under law -- even the answer to a simple question. As for the bodyguards ... in order to confirm that the man with the submachine gun was actually Marcus Wright, the city made us submit an official public-records request. Brian gave them a photocopy of the photo with an arrow drawn to him: "Who is this man?" They then confirmed it was Wright, with the title of "dignitary protection." ;-) BTW, all, I suggest that any or all of you file public-records requests for information that you want as well. You have the right to it, and they need to know that the public cares. I'll get Brian to post some advice on how to do it. He's become our sunshine editor of late, along with all his other duties.

DonnaLadd

Mar 8 2006

Also, should anyone know, I would also like to know how long Mr. Wright has been a detective with JPD, and if he is licensed to carry a submachine gun. I'm also curious about Mr. Melton's authority to wear a badge and carry firearms (multiple at once, I understand). We're looking into these things, but as the only print outlet in town really trying to cover the city these days, we are simply overwhelmed with information to gather. So any thoughts would be helpful. And y'all are a smart lot of bloggers.

DonnaLadd

Mar 8 2006

All silly sarcasm aside....Frank is hiding something folks. Now back to your regular programmming.

JSU

Mar 8 2006

BTW, all, I suggest that any or all of you file public-records requests for information that you want as well. You have the right to it, and they need to know that the public cares. I'll get Brian to post some advice on how to do it. He's become our sunshine editor of late, along with all his other duties. I can't wait! I would really like to know how to do this. You know, I just had a mental picture of us all wrongfully thrown in the city jail clanging tin cups against the bars and singing "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize". Well, at least we would all get a chance to chat without schedule conflicts.

LatashaWillis

Mar 8 2006

Well, at least there are a lot of us now asking questions.

DonnaLadd

Mar 8 2006

What on EARTH is Mayor Melton up to? I spoke to an FBI lawyer yesterday (who said he would deny everything he told me) that Frank is NOT licensed to carry a concealed weapon, and he does NOT have the authority to arrest people. So, Mel Priester says he never "closed" the court, (although the court was "closed"), Ms. Anderson states she "does or does not know whether the court was closed"), and Mr. Sullivan was "released" on a misdemeanor charge, free to roam the streets. Was he "free" or did Frank "place" him somewhere for some top-secret, black-helicopter scheme? Mayor Melton needs to let his police chief (has she ever made a public statement, or held a press conference?), district attorney Faye Peterson, or the FBI take care of whatever this "problem" is. If Frank refuses to do so, he places whatever his "case" is, at legal risk. Any defense attorney can demonstrate the "Keystone Cops" element in Mayor Melton's behavior. (I've watched all the spy movies, drug cartel movies, bad-on-the-street movies every made. But I've never seen one like this one.) HDMatthias, MD

HDMatthias, MD

Mar 8 2006

Doc, I think that about anyone can carry a concealed weapon in Mississippi, right? But the rest of your post is very compelling. We seem to have an administration that believes it can lie without hesitation. And we are seeing the result of not vetting Mr. Melton's choices for high-powered posts in any way -- they simply rubberstamp what he wants and, in Chief Anderson's case, then lie about it to the media. And Mr. Melton certainly doesn't seem concerned about the "legal" components of what is happening. It really looked like he wanted some private time with Mr. Sullivan more than anything else. And he got it. Then almost immediately the "most dangerous man on Jackson" was back on the streets -- without even a warning to Jacksonians to watch for him. I hope you treat whiplash, Doc, because Jacksonians have a collective case about now.

DonnaLadd

Mar 8 2006

Certainly Melton could make a "citizen's arrest" as I understand the term, but since he always has his JPD bodyguards with him in public (I assume they don't go to the "little mayor's room" with him) they would have the authority to make arrests on the mayors behalf.

Jeff Lucas

Mar 8 2006

Certainly Melton could make a "citizen's arrest" as I understand the term Maybe so. Perhaps he has more in common with Gomer Pyle than Barney Fife, huh? CITIZEN'S ARREAHST! CITIZEN'S ARREAHST!

LatashaWillis

Mar 8 2006

The media is all over the Vidal Sullivan shooting/kidnapping today. Honestly, I thought the shooting part was old news. It happened weeks ago. Let me dig out the details on the shooting, and I'll get back to everyone. Maybe I dreamed that we'd already blogged about this. It's hard to keep up with all this madness.

DonnaLadd

Jun 28 2006

I just saw it on the news too! Vidal is back on the run. I wonder what Melton is going to do this time? Mayby he will find him and hire him as his personal security.

lance

Jun 28 2006

Yep, I saw it on TV and shook my head. I can hear all the criminals laughing now. Melton made a big to-do about rehabilitating him, and now look at this mess!

LatashaWillis

Jun 28 2006

Well, he was saying as of just a few weeks ago that they had him "somewhere safe." I don't think he's been in any kind of custody since the day after that bogus arrest and appearance in Priester's courtroom. At least no kind of legal custody. I'll never understand how it went from being a "manhunt" for the city's "most dangerous man" to Mr. Melton's attention shifting elsewhere.

DonnaLadd

Jun 28 2006

Am I mistaken but wasn't it reported the VS was working as a landscaper?? that FM had him doing this business so he could take care of his child or children? It has been awhile so I might have it wrong. Someone please refresh me. I also thought it was reported he was living with FM. I remember thinking the "most dangerous man"in MS and he is out mowing people's lawn, I wouldn't want him near my house.

jada

Jun 28 2006

Well, we had said that Melton told me that he had given Sullivan money to buy school clothes for his kid -- in early May, I think. That's why Melton said he was in and out of City Hall (where The Clarion-Ledger had spotted him). Not sure about the landscape thing, though. I heard a couple weeks ago, when we were traveling I think, from a source downtown that he had shot someone. I honestly thought that had been reported, but the media aren't acting like it today.

DonnaLadd

Jun 28 2006

When you see the Clarion Ledger report I posted, you would think Vidal is just another criminal in Jackson. Short memories over there!

pikersam

Jun 28 2006

Yeah, I noticed that. If they are going to just post these little hit-and-runs so they can look like they have an active Web site, it is going to be annoying and useless. Why can't they link to earlier stories at least? Of course, they won't be truly interactive until they allow people to comment on every story. Bet they're too thin-skinned to do that anytime soon.

DonnaLadd

Jun 28 2006

Word is that Mr. Melton is out tonight with a media crew looking for Vidal Sullivan. The question is: Why wasn't he doing this after Sullivan was accused of shooting someone several weeks ago? Did he wait for it to get on TV to go on another manhunt? More details soon ...

DonnaLadd

Jun 28 2006

At 5:38 PM today Melton's Mobile Unit and 3 cars with blue lights stopped traffic at Old Canton Rd. and Ridgewood Rd. There was no remote TV with them that I saw, but then,that was 4 1/2 hrs. ago. If I were hunting for the 'most dangerous man in Mississippi' I would take more with me than the media.

ChrisCavanaugh

Jun 28 2006

Melton has created a situation where many citizens of Jackson are pulling for Sullivan in a showdown between them.

Ray Carter

Jun 29 2006

I actually heard a couple of weeks ago that Sullivan had shot someone and that "they" (whoever they may be) were trying to keep it quiet. I guess it worked until the kidnapping. These guys are trying to show Melton a thing or two.

notme

Jun 29 2006

I heard McLemore say on TV in a city council meeting that he felt the state of emergency has caused an increase in crime. TV viewers have expressed the same sentiment on feedback lines. Instead of separating the wheat from the chaff, Melton is stirring the pot. These criminals behave as if someone is paying them to wreak havoc on Jackson.

LatashaWillis

Jun 29 2006

Or double-dog-daring them.

DonnaLadd

Jun 29 2006

That's possible, Donna. Oh, men!

LatashaWillis

Jun 29 2006

The Clarion-Ledger is reporting that the feds have captured Vidal Sullivan in South Jackson. Note the original shooting happened June 9. Why haven't the police told the community that Sullivan—"the most dangerous man"—was on the loose in the city after a shooting?!? Why not enlist the people to help find him? Inquiring minds want to know.

DonnaLadd

Jun 30 2006

maybe cuz he is a competitor Donna. kind of like when captured officers usually get better treatment.

Kingfish

Jun 30 2006