Jackson Free Press

The prosecution in the felony trial of Mayor Frank Melton and police detectives Michael Recio and Marcus Wright rested late Tuesday afternoon, after a multitude of witnesses described how the men had demolished the duplex on Ridgeway.

After the prosecution called its last witness, Judge Joe Webster dismissed the jury for the day, urging them to go see a movie. He then heard motions from attorneys in the case.

Prosecutors withdrew one of the counts against the defendants, causing or directing a minor to commit a felony, and Merrida Coxwell, an attorney for Melton, urged Webster to throw out the rest of the counts. He said that the prosecution had failed to present "even one iota" of evidence that Wright and Melton had committed burglary, for instance.

Webster took rapid notes during Coxwell's pleading, but when the attorney had finished, he said: "I'm not going to dismiss these other charges at this time. I believe the state has presented enough evidence for us to proceed."

More details soon.

Previous Comments

ID

127600

Comment

Do you think that Danks will have evidence (from a PI, I suspect) that will say they saw that one guy have a beer or a drink this morning? Or will it be that he had a drink at 1am - in the morning - going the technical route? Or did Commander Lewis just blow it for Melton's team to the point it doesn't matter? I am sure they are giving him a good practice session tonight if he is going to be called back up by the Defense to clear things up. What Police Training Commander cannot cite regulations almost verbatim? Since when is it the officers discretion as to whether they radio headquarters when they go on a call or if they are going to make a report about the event? I want to see that press release! He knows he didn't write it, and still sucked it up, and said he "must have" since his name is on it! Also, WLBT has a copy. Notice the lack of integrity of their news department for not posting a copy of it during news reports all last Fall and even now!

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-04-24T17:45:19-06:00

ID

127601

Comment

Webster took rapid notes during Coxwell's pleading, but when the attorney had finished, he said: "I'm not go dismiss these other charges at this time. I believe the state has presented enough evidence for us to proceed." Do you mean "gonna dismiss" or "going to dismiss"?

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-04-24T18:26:47-06:00

ID

127602

Comment

After that performance, Lewis should resign from the Sheriff's race in shame. He did no good this day. He sounded unsure of the regulations: unsure of everything. He shouldn't be Sheriff. Which is exactly why he'll win in a landslide.

Author

Lady Havoc

Date

2007-04-24T19:42:21-06:00

ID

127603

Comment

I hate it when popularity and charisma trumps knowledge, experience and common sense in the political arena.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-04-24T19:45:55-06:00

ID

127604

Comment

LW - "I hate it when popularity and charisma trumps knowledge, experience and common sense in the political arena." Hahaha... you mean, you actually want candidates to win on the issues? Isn't how you described politics exactly how it always works? :O

Author

LawClerk

Date

2007-04-24T19:48:45-06:00

ID

127605

Comment

Yeah how else would have Haley Barbour been elected or will be re-elected, I mean Eaves has a much better grasp of the issues.

Author

Denny Crain

Date

2007-04-24T20:15:31-06:00

ID

127606

Comment

Yes, LawClerk, and it's a cryin' shame.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-04-24T20:16:28-06:00

ID

127607

Comment

Fixed that one, L.W. I know there are other typos in other posts. I ran home from the trial and typed as much as fast as I could before returning (a bit late) for the afternoon session. Bear with me as I clean them up.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2007-04-24T20:25:34-06:00

ID

127608

Comment

No problem, Brian. I know you've been busy, so I figured that I could help you out a little. :-)

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-04-24T20:32:28-06:00

ID

127609

Comment

My Impressions Of Today: What came across loud and clear to me is the normal-ness of a Summer Saturday night in Jackson. Here we are on Ridgeway Street where many believe drugs and depravity rule. A 22 year old, living next door to the soon to be demolished house, is home. An automobile mechanic is home across the way. A young mother is home with her children. The defense's 'villain' is in his own living room, drinking a beer with his friend Cooper, watching a movie. Someone had just finished barbecuing. This sounds just like any neighborhood anywhere. None of these people are out running the streets, standing on a street corner pushing drugs, or hitting the club scene. They are just at home relaxing. That is until our Mayor and his big van and his body guards and his children and his Woods Street Players arrive to totally disturb the peace and destroy a house and intimidate its occupants, on-lookers, and possibly the police on the beat. They use sticks or clubs or sledge hammers. Doesn't really matter what they were using, they were up to no good. Nothing about their motives or their behavior could be described as good. Not good for the neighborhood; not good for the Mayor; not good for Jackson; certainly not good for Evan Welch. All the Melton supporters need to close their eyes and imagine this happening in their neighborhood. Aren't you grateful it was not your place? Aren't you appreciative of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights? They are what stand between you and this kind of unbelievable search and seizure. Between you and false imprisonment. Between you and whoever wants to take awat whatever rights you enjoy.

Author

ChrisCavanaugh

Date

2007-04-24T21:15:21-06:00

ID

127610

Comment

Going on the record again to say: 1. If it doesn't end in a hung jury/mistrial, it will be a guilty verdict at least on one, possibly two counts. 2. It will not be an acquittal. 3. Melton will be forced out of office. 4. He will spend at least 1 year in jail. 5. We will have a special election in 60 days for a new Mayor. 6. Crisler will be interim Mayor. 7. Lewis will NOT be elected to Sheriff. 8. Kim Wade will run for Mayor. 9. As will Harvey Johnson. 10.... I am going to bed.

Author

LawClerk

Date

2007-04-24T21:54:43-06:00

ID

127611

Comment

I want Harvey Johnson! I always appreciate people in public office who do things nice and slow. The fast ones are alway about putting more laws on us . . . and I hate that - we have enough.

Author

Danno

Date

2007-04-25T00:46:36-06:00

ID

127612

Comment

My sources are telling me that if Melton and his boys lose and face jail time, unless they're jailed immediately, they plan to go out in a blaze of glory. To get back at some of us for negative comments concerning them here, and the songs I dedicated to them at the conclusion of their previous charges in Hinds county, they have a song for me and some of you. It's called "Shotgun, Shoot Him Fo' He Runs now." I'm running now before it's too late. Where is Cliff Cargill? I need to hide out there until these 3 ganstas are off the streets.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-04-25T07:49:04-06:00

ID

127613

Comment

Where has he been?

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-04-25T07:50:38-06:00

ID

127614

Comment

Frank and Wright are looking scared. Frank wanted to smile but he knows this isn't a smiling matter. I bet they got little sleep last night. Judge Webster probably won't send any of them to jail if convicted, so I doubt they're worried about that. They're worried about jobs being lost. I bet some prayers went up last night to save some jobs, and the three defendants weren't the ones praying the hardest. That was likely Frank's staff, friends and supporters. I got a meeting and will have to miss the moring's happening.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-04-25T07:59:44-06:00

ID

127615

Comment

WJTV Web Poll: Current survey results for 682 entries Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding If the house on Ridgeway St. was a drug house as Mayor Melton claims, do you think he was justified in trying to tear it down? [color=red]Yes 390 57% [/color] [color=blue]No 292 42% [/color] Note: This poll is not scientific and reflects the opinions of only those Internet users who have chosen to participate. The results cannot be assumed to represent public opinion.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-04-25T08:45:39-06:00

ID

127616

Comment

"My sources are telling me that if Melton and his boys lose and face jail time, unless they're jailed immediately, they plan to go out in a blaze of glory." Surely you jest, Ray.

Author

LawClerk

Date

2007-04-25T08:52:53-06:00

ID

127617

Comment

I was joking.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-04-25T12:41:28-06:00