Jackson Free Press

This is a serious question. Why did Supreme Court Chief Justice James Smith Jr. today appoint a special judge, directly by Judge Swan Yerger, to help the D.A.'s office prosecute more cases—to clear the "backlog"? Why not six months ago? A year ago? Two years ago? Seven years ago when the backlog was much worse?

Previous Commentsshow

This is also from the Ledger. (Looks like someone's feeding them lots of PR today.): Forty-four of the 132 additional beds coming online by the end of October at the Hinds County Detention Center may be designated to the city of Jackson’s misdemenants. Hinds Count Board of Supervisors President Ronnie Chappell, District 2 Supervisor Doug Anderson, Mayor Frank Melton, Sheriff Malcolm McMillin and several other officials from the city and county met last week to discuss possible solutions to a crime crisis in the city. Under the proposal, the city would pay a one-time fee of $300,000 for the additional beds that would be solely designated to the misdemeanor offenders, Anderson said. The money would go toward personnel including jailers and medical staff. Word o' the day: misdemenants

DonnaLadd

Aug 29 2007

my exact thoughts... the timing is surely suspicious... I want to think that this was probably a response to a request for help from Peterson's office... So what was the thought process... we will wait and announce this after the election so Peterson would not be able to use this to boost her campaign.. when you read between the lines, the timing begs alot of questions.

lanier77

Aug 29 2007

Blatantly surreptitious, if you ask me! They could've at least waited a couple of weeks or so, bejeezus. To me, it's yet another sign that they don't give a damn what the public thinks, just like Frank said. I mean, whatever happened to 'avoiding the appearance of impropriety'?

Kacy

Aug 29 2007

This is not surprising to me. The local illuminati needed Peterson out of the way for their agenda to move forward. They will work as hard as they can to help Smith look like a tough, no-nonsense crimefighter, possibly even finding an extra pot of funding for the Hinds D.A. office to get more ADAs and staff.

Jeff Lucas

Aug 29 2007

Great observations Jeff. My fear is that we're in for "frankie---round two". Also, when frankie decides to go out and start breaking the law, what will the DA elect do? Just stand by and watch? There's a serious conflict there if that happens. And, based on frankie's past, it'll be an issue soon.

Cliff Cargill

Aug 29 2007

I don't think this judge is going to be all that good.

pikersam

Aug 30 2007