Jackson Free Press

Oct. 2, 12:20 p.m.: Mayor Frank Melton has been spotted in the Meridian courtroom where jury selection took up the morning. The judge has asked all parties to be in the courtroom after lunch. More updates soon...

Mayor Frank Melton will be back in a Meridian courtroom on Monday in civil lawsuit that could end up costing him millions of dollars. The Jackson Free Press broke the story last July—two weeks after Melton took the mayoral oath—that he had lied to Judge Robert Bailey in court documents three months earlier. In the documents Melton told the judge several times that he had not leaked a memo to The Clarion-Ledger in 2003, even though he had. The memo, which was later ruled mostly false by State Auditor Phil Bryant, had implicated former Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics officers in criminal behavior. At the time of the leak, Melton was director of MBN; he was later fired from the position by Gov. Haley Barbour.

Melton would later say he lied because he was acting as a "journalist" and "protecting a source"—although he, in fact, was the source in the case. In late August, the judge declared summary judgement, calling Melton's excuses for lying "ludicrous." This Monday, Oct. 4, Melton is due back in Bailey courtroom for a hearing to set damages, which could cost the mayor millions of dollars.

Watch the Jackson Free Press for breaking developments on the story ...

Previous Commentsshow

Also, here's a previous thread about Clarion-Ledger/Gannett's involvement in the lawsuit. Note comments by their attorney and links to depositions in the comments below the post, as well as conversation about The Clarion-Ledger endorsing Melton for mayor although they knew (or should have known) that Melton was the source of the document and had lied to the judge about it during the campaign. It is also important to remember that The Clarion-Ledger refrained from reporting on the Meridian lawsuit, and their involvement in it, during the campaign. Tsk, tsk.

DonnaLadd

Sep 29 2006

Seems to me that if Frank lied to a judge, a perjury charge could be in order. If there's one thing judges don't take too kind is perjury.

golden eagle '97

Sep 30 2006

You know, old timers used to say that it is all "a piece of the same cloth" and I believe this piece's pattern is becoming clear to everyone.

ChrisCavanaugh

Sep 30 2006

Mleton's bond may be revoked...Judge Green ask electronic monitering company to attend hearing... C-L story link

Cliff Cargill

Sep 30 2006

You know, I wouldn't think they would use electronic monitoring unless they had reason to think Melton was up to something. It is pretty clear that Recio and Marcus are not working desk duty. Melton may be going and visiting kids on the down-low? How electronic monitoring fits into the picture is an interesting point.

pikersam

Sep 30 2006

I dunno... The phrases "Federal Idictments" and "Flight risk" come to mind somehow. Could be.We'll see.

Cliff Cargill

Sep 30 2006

Does he have to be in court here *and* in Meridian on Monday?

Lady Havoc

Sep 30 2006

I hear that *he* has to be in Meridian; his attorneys in the criminal case have to be in Judge Green's courtroom.

DonnaLadd

Sep 30 2006

Just read the Ledge piece; according to it, Melton isn't listed as being ordered into Green's court: Green, who did not respond to requests for comment, ordered defense attorneys, Peterson, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood, Police Chief Shirlene Anderson, Hinds County Sheriff Malcolm McMillin and representatives of a private monitoring company to her court at 11 a.m. And is Danks really still complaining about Dennis Sweet? Why would Sweet be included in this case's gag order? Melton's attorney, Dale Danks Jr., said he had not violated the order. Danks noted that one of the most vocal attorneys - Dennis Sweet - has not been asked to appear. Sweet, who is representing duplex owner Jennifer Sutton, has filed notice of intent to sue the city over the incident and was granted a temporary restraining order forbidding city employees, Melton or the City Council from referring to the duplex as a "drug house." "You file a restraining order, that's talking," he said. "I didn't see Dennis Sweet's name on (the order)." Didn't Danks bow out of the Meridian case? If so, seems like Melton could go to Meridian, while the rest of them meet up in Green's courtroom. Of course, then he wouldn't be there for the electronic monitoring devices to be attached. It is possible that Monday's hearing might be postponed. Danks filed an emergency motion for a continuance Friday afternoon, citing a conflicting court appearance in Meridian. Melton is scheduled to defend himself Monday morning in Lauderdale County Circuit Court in a libel lawsuit filed by former Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics agent Robert Earl Pierce and current MBN agent Jimmy Saxton over a memo Melton leaked to The Clarion-Ledger in 2003. Melton was head of the bureau at the time.

DonnaLadd

Sep 30 2006

Regardless, it seems quite obvious that Judge Green is about to make them all start taking their actions seriously. She quite likely feels as played with as that judge in Meridian did when Melton went around say he lied in court documents because he was a "journalist." Intriguing that he has to face two judges in the same day. Malcolm X's old "chickens coming home to roost" mantra comes to mind.

DonnaLadd

Sep 30 2006

The Ledger has a PDF of Green's order posted here. The order says that *all* named defendants have to be there, which would include Melton. I'm not sure what time he is due in Meridian, but maybe he will burn up I-20 in between. Or, maybe one judge or the other will delay a day or two. We'll keep y'all posted on what is shaping up to be a very interesting week. What's that noise? Could it be the fat lady warming up her lungs?

DonnaLadd

Sep 30 2006

Mleton's bond may be revoked...Judge Green ask electronic monitering company to attend hearing... I hope he doesn't do like Madea and put the thing on his dog. Sorry, had to say it... :-) Anyway, I think that having to wear a tracking device would have a major effect on Melton's emotional state. He's used to being in control, so I wonder how he would handle that.

LatashaWillis

Sep 30 2006

Anyway, I think that having to wear a tracking device would have a major effect on Melton's emotional state. He's used to being in control, so I wonder how he would handle that. Maybe he'll have a nervous breakdown? Wait.... how would we tell? :D

Ironghost

Sep 30 2006

Maybe he'll have a nervous breakdown? Wait.... how would we tell? :D Somebody needs a whippin'. Where's Lady Havoc? :-P

LatashaWillis

Sep 30 2006

Word we're getting is that Melton will not appear in the Meridian courtroom today because he's going to be in Judge Green's courtroom.

DonnaLadd

Oct 2 2006

I was just going to ask what is up? With TV in the court room in Meridian will it be broadcast in Jackson or just part of the newscast? He's a busy man!

pikersam

Oct 2 2006

Word from Meridian: They're doing jury selection right now.

DonnaLadd

Oct 2 2006

Another update: Melton is in the Meridian courtroom. He did not show up for the hearing in Judge Green's courtroom; he was represented by his attorneys, although Recio and Wright where there. This is what we originally heard was going to happen. More soon.

DonnaLadd

Oct 2 2006

Here is WAPT's report on today's proceedings in Meridian. (video) I wonder if Tisdale, Weaver, Blunston, Hickingbottom and gang approve of Melton hiring 3 lilly white, and one funny colored white guy to defend him? Watch the video. Also, the Melton team is still arguing that the Clarion Ledger should be liable not Melton. How does the judge allow that to be considered when it has been determined that Melton is at fault? Legal eagles? Then today the Clarion Ledger reports that Melton was a "journalist" when he handed over the memo. Is that correct? Seems odd? Melton initially denied in court documents that he had leaked the memo before reversing himself, leading Bailey to rule that Melton should be held liable. He also ruled that Melton was acting as a journalist, not MBN director, when he leaked the memo, which means damages cannot be capped at $500,000 — a protection reserved for state officials.

pikersam

Oct 2 2006

No, the Ledge is missing the nuance. (Imagine.) The judge denied Melton's effort to cap the damages (and, I believe, to make the state pay) by pissily pointing out that Melton said he was a journalist; then by damn, he had admitted himself that he wasn't acting as a state official. The Ledger's story is written very poorly—but, hey, at least they're writing about this now rather than ignoring it as they did during Melton's campaign. Tsk, tsk.

DonnaLadd

Oct 2 2006

WTOK in Meridian is reporting: Saxton is suing Melton for $3,000,000, alleging defamation of character. "The damage to his reputation, to his marriage, to his personal life is substantial," said Saxton's attorney, Mel Coxwell. "Eighteen stories mentioned Earl Pierce by name. He had his name in print, if you count them, all up to 80 times, making allegations that were absolutely false," said Mike Ferrell, Pierce's attorney. "The Clarion Ledger wrote a story and it was based in part on this memo. We contend that the majority of the damages attributed to the article are the Clarion Ledger's words, not ours," said Jim Metz, Melton's attorney. An investigation found that the neither Pierce nor Saxton broke any laws. Melton's attorneys say that the accusations made in the memo were statements given by another Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics agent. The trial is expected to take at least three days. (Note that Saxton is mispelled; it's Saxon. Also, note that the other "agent" who wrote the memo was now JFP assistant chief Roy Sandifer.) Adam is covering this, by the way. We'll give some updates as it goes, but watch for the issue on Wednesday for the real story. As everyone knows, Adam has owned this story, and that isn't about to change—especially with the Ledge tiptoing through this particular minefield, for obvious reasons.

DonnaLadd

Oct 2 2006

WTOK link.

DonnaLadd

Oct 2 2006

"(Note that Saxton is mispelled; it's Saxon. Also, note that the other "agent" who wrote the memo was now JFP assistant chief Roy Sandifer.)" What's wrong with this sentence? I didn't know you had an assistant chief over there, Donna.

lucdix

Oct 2 2006

Roy reminds me of this guy! JFP asst. chief! LOL!

pikersam

Oct 2 2006

Actually, it is spelled Saxton. Sorry about that. And, yes, JFP assistant chief is funny. ;-)

DonnaLadd

Oct 3 2006

yeah, there IS a Jimmy Sexton here in town and I doubt he would like being confused with this guy. ;-)

Kingfish

Oct 3 2006

Here is the Meridian Star's account of yesterday's action.

pikersam

Oct 3 2006