Jackson Free Press

After Mayor Frank Melton copped to three pleas in his gun cases, The Clarion-Ledger's Eric Stringfellow criticized the attorney general's office for not interviewing the mayor's two bodyguards. Det. Michael Recio came forward at the last minute saying he would testify under oath that Melton left his gun in the car outside the Mississippi College School of Law.

Only one problem, though: The AG's office said The Clarion-Ledger didn't ask them whether they talked to the bodyguards before blasting them for incompetence.

Jan Schaefer, spokeswoman for Attorney General Jim Hood, said last week that before the weapons trial, her office asked attorneys for Melton bodyguards Recio and Wright specifically if they had witnessed anything that might bear on the trial. "They told us they hadn't seen anything," Schaefer said. It was only later, with the trial set to begin, and hinging on eyewitness Stephen Stamboulieh, who saw the gun on Melton's person, that the defense revealed that Recio planned to testify he had seen Melton put his weapon in his car.

Previous Commentsshow

Does this surpirse anyone that Recio would try and protect Melton? The 3 Amigos (Melton, Recio, Wright) are as thick as thieves right now. We will learn exactly how united they are once the trial is in full swing. I predict that there will be a few things said in the manner of "self preservation" even if it steps on some toes. If it begins to look like ol' Frankie is going down, I'll just about bet thay the other two will just stand by and watch him sink ALONE! Melton still has a few avenues/monies left to use to fight. The bodyguards may not be in the same finaicial situation. Also I have constantly heard how Melton should cop a plea to avoid jail time. Have the other two been offered the same deal or will they go STRAIGHT to prison if convicted?

lance

Nov 30 2006

At present, it would appear that none of the "3 amigos" is interested in pursuing a plea, despite the fact that their defense appears hobbled by the fact they, uh, did it. If I were the bodyguards' attorney, I would think it would be to their benefit to plea in exchange for testifying against Melton. I would think that prosecutors would be lenient toward them considering that they were "just following orders." (Of course, if someone orders you to commit a crime and you do it, you have committed a crime.) I wonder whether they disdain a plea because it would presumably cost them their careers as officers. Or is it that they are loyal to Melton, so loyal that they are willing to risk real prison time on his behalf? Or maybe it's just that Melton's "advisors" have convinced them that they hang together or hang separately.

Brian C Johnson

Nov 30 2006

With two guys like this, if Melton offered (promised) them some of his "riches" if they stick it out with him, jail or not, they probably do it.

pikersam

Nov 30 2006

I mean one of the "bodyguards" was already willing to change his story to testify in direct opposition to a witness who took a lie detector test. Also, one of the defenses own witnesses now says that he believes Melton did have the gun based on the word of other students who also saw it. Why wouldn't they fall on the sword for a million or two?

pikersam

Nov 30 2006

if Melton offered (promised) them some of his "riches" if they stick it out with him, jail or not, they probably do it. -Pike-loves-the-jfp If they are stupid enough to believe that Melton will share his wealth with them ,then I have some property on the moon that I will sell them dirt cheap. According to information after the first trial, Higginbottom supposedly hosted a fund raiser to help pay the mayor's legal expenses. Also I have several friends that have seen Melton boarding commercial planes at the airport. Now didn't he tell us early in his mayoral campaign that he had his own private plane? I say to Recio and Wright.......... WAKE UP!!! MELTON DOSEN'T HAVE THE MONEY THAT HE SAYS HE DOES! If you cannot hear me, then just be patient and time will tell.

lance

Dec 5 2006