Jackson Free Press

The defense elected to call only one more witness this afternoon—Councilman Kenneth Stokes. Under direct questioning by Melton attorney Dale Danks, Stokes said he had lodged complaints about drugs in the Ridgeway Street area. "We were asking for help, from the mayor's office especially," Stokes said. He said he had discussed the duplex at 1305 Ridgeway Street "a couple times" before Aug. 26, 2006. Stokes said he first discussed it with Melton on April 4, 2006, as well as Michael Recio and Marcus Wright. He said that it was his opinion that it was a "crackhouse."

In cross-examination, Alexander mentioned that Stokes had talked in his testimony about a couple other areas of town where he had talked to the mayor about drugs. Alexander asked him whether the mayor had smashed up houses there. Stokes said no.

Alexander questioned Stokes at some length about how to demolish nuisance houses. They went over it at great length, and established that Melton followed none of the procedures outlined in City Ordinance 1034.

Stokes also admitted during cross that on April 4, 2006, he had put the entire Ridgeway Street block on the Council agenda, without specifying 1305 Ridgeway. He also acknowledged that there is still drug activity on that street, but insisted that it's not as bad.

Then the defense rested. The judge swore in all three defendants who said they understood that they had a right to testify, but were not going to.

Court is in recess before the prosecution presents a rebuttal witness.

Previous Comments

ID

127797

Comment

Is it just me, or did Stokes add nothing that should justify anything that happened on Aug. 26, 2006? I guess they're hoping for Stokes devotion to win over some of the women on the jury. I'm a bit surprised the judge let him in. I thought they could only present evidence about drug activity on that night. It doesn't sound like he talked about that.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-04-25T14:46:21-06:00

ID

127798

Comment

I am confused to. I agree that he added nothing to the defense, however, he did bolster the prosecutions case by admitting the Mayor didn't follow any procedures for destroying a home. Lets hope they get the instructions correct and the jury can actually think for themselves. I think we should know something as early as 4:30 pm tomorrow. Anyone else want to hazzard a guess as to when the jury gets through?

Author

kdbstlrfan1

Date

2007-04-25T14:53:10-06:00

ID

127799

Comment

Well, they went over the proper procedures just like our pundits here wanted! I am not sure if it was all that anyone might have hoped for! This judge is amusing, I kinda like him, but I imagine Danks is trying to set him up for the Supreme court to throw the whole thing out in the off chance they can't hang this jury, Danno

Author

Danno

Date

2007-04-25T14:53:53-06:00

ID

127800

Comment

The Supreme Court would be stupid to take down two judges all having been in the same lower position themselves, and all of them being judges themselves. That would be 2 judges after Danks then. I have one question: Who would be so stupid as to all Kenneth Stokes to testify as their defense? Only Frank Melton.

Author

optimisticaboutNewJackCity

Date

2007-04-25T14:56:44-06:00

ID

127801

Comment

Prositutes continually parade down Martin Luther King, Woodrow Wilson and all the side streets throughout Ward 3. Kenneth Stokes need to work on that.

Author

angiebee

Date

2007-04-25T14:56:47-06:00

ID

127802

Comment

What happened to the rebuttal witness? Also, I still don't understand why the prosecution dropped count 5.

Author

jasp

Date

2007-04-25T15:01:12-06:00

ID

127803

Comment

Kenneth Stokes just needs to work, dangitall.

Author

Lady Havoc

Date

2007-04-25T15:10:04-06:00

ID

127804

Comment

He's yet to earn an honest dollar, why should he do so now?

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-04-25T15:21:16-06:00

ID

127805

Comment

Kenneth had some jobs before becoming a council person. His wife is a lawyer. Their daughter is a student at Harvard Law School, and I think he has a son possibly in medical school. Outstanding family, right!? I thought Kenneth did alright testifying, but he did help the prosecution too.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-04-25T15:47:22-06:00

ID

127806

Comment

The prosecution elected not to present its rebuttal witness. Instead, they submitted an additional police report. I don't know what the contents of that report are or why prosecutors deemed it sufficient. I also don't know why prosecutors dropped count 5, beyond the fact that prosecutors said they had insufficient evidence. I also don't know why they declined to call Michael Taylor.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2007-04-25T15:48:39-06:00

ID

127807

Comment

He needs to show up at some work sessions. One of these days, his constituency is going to realize that they need some help, and vote him out. He's all talk and absolutely no action. And so far, the people who live in his district are happy with the status quo.

Author

Lady Havoc

Date

2007-04-25T15:51:24-06:00

ID

127808

Comment

Wasn't count 5 dropped because there were no witnesses who could positively identify the minor as being present on the scene, and his age couldn't be established through witnesses. In other words, the state admitted they couldn't prove that count of the charges.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-04-25T15:53:12-06:00

ID

127809

Comment

You're right, Ray. I think Kenneth himself earned a law degree at Texas Southern in Houston, yes?

Author

Kacy

Date

2007-04-25T15:53:30-06:00

ID

127810

Comment

Also, I just read Goliath's story on what happened Tuesday, and I am baffled by their coverage, as usual. I don't see how anyone could have sat in that courtroom Tuesday and called it "a day of minor victories" for the defense. You might make that argument about who prevailed on objections, though both sides objected ad nauseum and were sustained about as often as they were overruled. But that takes no account of witness after witness after witness describing Melton et al. on the rampage that night. I realize "rampage" is a strong word, but I use it because I think their witnesses made a strong case that malice was involved. The only way you can call Tuesday a day of "minor victories" for the defense is if you completely ignore all the witnesses that testified. Today was an even worse day for the defense, as much of the testimony they hoped to bring was ruled inadmissable by Webster. I can't wait to see what Goliath does with that.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2007-04-25T15:54:05-06:00

ID

127811

Comment

Kacy, Kenneth was in my law school class of 1982. There were about 8 of us from Mississippi and we all beame friends.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-04-25T16:09:11-06:00

ID

127812

Comment

By the way, city officials attending the trial today included Sarah O'Reilly-Evans, Stephanie Parker-Weaver, Marcus Ward and Robert Walker. If they didn't take leave time, they should be fired. Of course, their boss is unlikely to do that.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2007-04-25T16:29:41-06:00

ID

127813

Comment

Cool. Then you know that his public persona (tough, confrontational) is not how he really is privately or in one-on-one professional dealings. In my job, I've known and dealt with him for years and have found him to be much more genteel and courteous than his public persona portrays. Until last year, I always respected the consistency with which he advocated for his constituents, even though I didn't always agree with him. I lost some of that respect when he seemed to make a 180-degree turn in supporting, condoning and/or ignoring Melton's antics which--if Melton had been Johnson or Ditto--Kenneth would have screamed and protested to the highest heavens! That said, I still like him as a person, even when our opinions or politics clash. As they say, politics makes for strange bedfellows...

Author

Kacy

Date

2007-04-25T16:40:05-06:00

ID

127814

Comment

You call this a journalistic story? From WJNT: City Council Member Kenneth Stokes took the stand Wednesday in Mayor Frank Melton's trial. He explained the problems with the house in question at 1305 Ridgeway. He was the last witness called by the defense. Stokes said the house was known for drug activity and prostitution. After his testimony, Mayor Melton's attorneys walked out of court with confidence. "I think it helped. It obviously helped," Melton's attorney Dale Danks said of Stokes' testimony. When prosecution cross-examined Stokes, attorneys brought out books of city code and cited proper procedure for tearing down alleged drug houses. "I really hadn't seen this, and hopefully we can do something in the future," Stokes said of the city codes. Stokes admitted the city did not follow the law letter-for-letter with the Ridgeway house. In particular, Stokes said the city never sent the house's owners a letter about the situation. Inmates are running the asylum over there at WJTV. Just like when they said the house was torn down as part of the mayor campaign to rid the city of abandoned house! WTF!?! I posted a story about it the other day, and here you can watch the anchorwoman say it again before she cuts to the live remote.

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-04-25T22:57:34-06:00

ID

127815

Comment

I agree Piker. That is no where near the way the testimony actually happened. That was a Prosecution win in my book!

Author

kdbstlrfan1

Date

2007-04-26T06:37:08-06:00

ID

127816

Comment

I grew up in Georgetown & attended Lanier. That area has not progressed - it still looks the same. Allbeit Stokes is very popular, the majority of his constituents are elderly and they just think he's wonderful because he cares about them and puts up those little signs every holiday. The man is smart, he knows how to continue to market himself in his ward and do just enough to be re-elected. He just keeps running his mouth & talking about his "people" and unfortunately no one is asking the deeper questions about why the ward is not improving. I would not want to live in a ward where the councilperson readily admits that he knows nothing about code enforcement that might improve his area. He's just satisfied running to FM and asking him to fix the problem with "his presence." Give me a break. You're right, prostitutes do stroll MLK Drive at night. It's ridiculous.

Author

lanier77

Date

2007-04-26T08:42:39-06:00

ID

127817

Comment

Yes, Kenneth Stokes is from a strong family unit and his daughter is a law student @ Havard and his son should be out of medical school by now. Kenneth finished law school; however, he never passed the MS bar. I know a low of people, especially blacks who had problems with the subjectivity of the bar and I know that my nephew who is a Harvard graduate failed it the first time. He talked about the antiquated laws hereand the fact that MS did not have rciprocity as many other states do. And of course the issue of racial fairness and cultural sensitivity played a heavy part. The probloem I have with Stokes is: HE KNOWS; but, he has spent his political career KEEPING THE IGNORANT , IGNORANT (Uniformed). Just remember that "IGNORANT" is not a bad word, it simply means that one does not know /understand. Stokes needs a serious oponent to expose the fact that once you get pass the cakes, pies, hugs, and mother's day signs, you are at the end of his rainbow. Sorry Kenny but, you know that some of us know the real deal!

Author

justjess

Date

2007-04-26T09:49:43-06:00

ID

127818

Comment

I think his son is there?

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-04-26T09:55:36-06:00

ID

127819

Comment

Forget about ever seeing Stokes voted out of office. He is the king and councilman-for-life of Ward 3 and he knows it.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2007-04-26T10:53:12-06:00

ID

127820

Comment

Yes, Jeff Lucas, that same thing was thought about slavery, remember?

Author

justjess

Date

2007-04-26T11:36:30-06:00