Jackson Free Press

See JFP Melton Blog/Archive here.

We're living through one of the worst D-movies one could imagine. In fact, this flick likely wouldn't get made in the first place because no one would buy it. Roll the videotape.

City turns out the mayor residing over dropping crime. Elects wannabe cowboy who wears guns all over his body illegally and hunts "thugs." Hates day job. Leads midnight raids without warrants. Hires meek police chief-ette to enable and clean up after him. Doesn't live with wife and children. Lives with lots of young men. Likes to drink the hard stuff.

Ignores authority. Makes fun of the attorney general's warning. Has felon publicly talk up the DA's dress tail. Tears down old woman's house; refuses to build her another one. Hugs. Loads up young friends on police RV. They watch violent movies as he interdicts. Takes big stick to nightclub. Totes guns wherever he wants. A church. A park. A college, probably.

On a steamy night in August, goes to Ridgeway "drug house." No warrant. Breaks up house with stick. Instructs at least one minor to do same with sledgehammers. Cuts hand. Then goes to the club. "Arrests" manager. Kids de-RV and beat him up. While in handcuffs. (All according to eyewitnesses.)

Gets arrested. Out on bond. No more minors. No more booze.

Convicted on three gun charges. Takes plea for probation. Must be in by midnight. No "places of nuisance." No playing police. Wears ankle bracelet. Still no minors. Spends night with family anyway. Screw probation.

Has surgery. Serious health problems. History of alcohol abuse. Heavy smoker. Taking lots of meds. Doctor's orders be damned. Back to interdicting. Back to the club. Ignores probation officer. Around drugs and alcohol. Wearing a badge. Back in the game.

Probation revoked. Chest pains. Goes to hospital. Won't leave. Accuses judge of bias and "tampering." Hires attorney who defended Delay Beckwith. Girded for battle.

Police officers demoralized. Narcotics squad shrinks. Qualified people replaced by athletes. Makes Jackson laughing stock. Crime skyrockets. Chief clueless. City quakes.

This bad movie we're living just gets worse—and the sole responsibility of that stops at the hospital bed of Frank Melton.

Mr. Melton is his own worst enemy, and he has become an enemy of the city. He doesn't care about his own health, nor does he care about ours. I'll leave the argument of whether he has a "good heart" to other people; if so, it is drowning in delusions of grandeur.

It doesn't matter, anyhow. As we go to print, Melton is sitting in St. Dominic's thumbing his nose at every one of us as his high-priced attorneys play scorched-earth chess to keep him out of jail. Everyone knows he violated his probation (and probably bond if that judge cared to notice); the attachments to his own lawyer's legal filings show it. A man who, due to his criminal probation, is forbidden by state law to be around drugs and alcohol and in "places of nuisance" tells his probation officer a few hours before that that is exactly what he is going to do. Just like with his attitude toward the attorney general last year, Melton does not believe the law applies to him. He is above it. He has attorneys.

The most poignant statement I've heard all week, during the latest round of Meltonian madness, is someone standing in my office saying, "Well, it's not like the mayor has done anything good."

Think about that for a second. Melton has not accomplished anything as mayor. Crime is rising, and it's not because the authorities have told him that it's not kosher for him to become a criminal to fight crime. It was rising during his first six months. A lot of people believe that criminals—especially the ones who look up to him as someone who doesn't heed the law, either—are emboldened by Melton. I'm not sure they're wrong. He is setting a very low standard in the city: deal with conflict with violent actions, perhaps involving big sticks and sledgehammers. Justify doing what you want. Lie as needed.

The most confusing part is that Melton only goes after certain criminals. Others, he invites to live in his house, ride in his RV, drive his cars, be a part of his world. Even if well-intentioned, this sends exactly the wrong message. Young people in Jackson see certain ones among them being chosen to be above the law alongside Melton—he defends them, rushes them away from the sheriff when he tries to arrest them for outstanding warrants, gives them credit cards, money, keys.

Others he manhunts. He pounds on their mamas' doors with a shotgun. They are not Melton's boys of choice.

You think Jackson overall is confused by this man's antics; imagine what it must be like to be a young person trying to find your way. Is this man your friend or your enemy? Will that change? Will he turn on you? Will he destroy your home if his friends encourage him to? Will he violate your constitutional rights and then belittle you to all his white supporters? Will he call you a "thug" during his inaugural speech and then invite you to a barbeque at his house? How can you know?

The truth is, our young people do need attention, and they need help, understanding and mentoring. But they do not need to be used by someone to feed his own ego or as a way to get cheap votes. They don't need to be mentored by a criminal. I have met some of the young men Melton has helped, and they can be very impressive. Others, however, look fearful and roll their eyes at him when he isn't looking. I have no doubt some are using him; I believe strongly that he is using them back.

During Melton's campaign, the JFP got enough glimpses inside his world to be really worried about what he was going to do to the city (remember our "Jackson, We've Got a Problem" warning on this page?). Unfortunately, we arrived too late on the scene to undo and debunk the myth-building Melton had done here for too long, and other media were as fooled by his "thug" rhetoric as everyone else. Our voice wasn't loud enough then.

Now, though, it's time for a change. People who care about Melton need to help him by asking him to turn himself in, step down, get help, recuperate. People who care about Jackson need to stop defending a mayor who has turned our city into a third-rate movie set.

It's time to hit rewind.

Update: Melton turned himself in the morning of March 7, 2007.

Previous Commentsshow

if you're doing it to slam Frank fine but using inuendo against Mr. Coxwell is not right. He's a criminal defense lawyer. that is his job. the implication from that line is that he is a racist because he would defend Beckwith.

Kingfish

Mar 7 2007

It's not a slam or innuendo, and that's not the implication. It is fact, and it shows how bizarre this story has become. Don't miss the point here: We have elected a mayor who *needs* a defense attorney on that level. Don't miss the forest for the defensive trees, 'Fish. It would be the same point had the defense attorney been the Carlos dude in Texas who defended the guy on death row. We shouldn't have a mayor who *needs* to hire such an attorney. That's not a slam on the attorney by any means. Everyone deserves a defense.

DonnaLadd

Mar 7 2007

Well, Kingfish, why would someone so tied in with the likes of Tisdale, SORE, Parker-Weaver even hire Coxwell? Why not Robert Smith! Or Ray! ;-) Don't you think that resonates with certain african-americans here in Jackson. Doesn't mean it right, per say; but, it was an odd choice for Melton none the less. I see no harm in reminding them of who Melton runs with.

pikersam

Mar 7 2007

(Was his name Carlos, or am I missing him up with the attorney in Greenwood sueing on behalf of the young people? At any rate, the point is the same. We have a mayor who needs a high-powered defense attorney to help with a multitude of charges. That is not good.)

DonnaLadd

Mar 7 2007

I'm not missing the forest. Why would it be important to mention he got beckwith's attorney. The only inference that can be drawn is that he is tainted because he represented Beckwith. In fact, I think he was appointed to represent Beckwith. If anything, that sentence should be removed. Its a flashy sentence but it damages someone's reputation who has never been known to be a racist and was only doing their job. The implication is that because he represented Beckwith, he must be a guy who specializes in representing people like Beckwith and approves of them. The rest of the story I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

Kingfish

Mar 7 2007

ladd, the only crazy thing i think you left off was his visit to batman's momma's house with what looked like a swat and him screaming on the porch, Lol.

jd

Mar 7 2007

Perhaps you're being intentionally obtuse, 'Fish. I just told you why it's important—to make the point that we have a mayor who has hired (or needs) a defense attorney who defended a very famous murderer. In my business, we make points by being specific. No way it's going to be removed. And how in hell does stating a fact "damage" someone's reputation??? That's absurd. If Mr. Coxwell (whom I respect) thinks that that fact would damage his reputation, he shouldn't be in the business of defending criminals. As for the rest of your statement: You are putting words in my mouth in a dramatic fashion, and you need to stop. I love it when someone (in my case, a woman) explains directly her intention, and a man tells her what she actually meant, ignoring anything that doesn't fit his translation. Don't insult like that, friend. I'm a big girl, and I know what I write and why I write it. You are not my translator. And if you're narrow-minded enough to read an incorrect meaning into something, that is your intellectual failing, not mine. I also know and respect the attorney defending James Ford Seale. If Melton hires her to defend him in the future, I would say the same thing. It is a very, very sad state of affairs that we have a mayor who needs to hire of the best criminal defense attorneys in the state. Take that as an insult of Coxwell if you must. But it would be very dumb to do so.

DonnaLadd

Mar 7 2007

Jay, actually I left out a few things. For space, you know. ;-) However, I do make a reference to that night way down below. Do a search on "mama" to find it.

DonnaLadd

Mar 7 2007

Kingfish, it is time to do a SNAGGLEPUSS on you: I am hitting you three consecutive times without a puase, poppoppop: Now, SUFFER YOU BRUTE! Kingfish, you are undoubtly well educated and have some very good points which speak volumes to your intelligence.: however, I think you blew this one. Out of everything that was written in ladd's article, you could only see "Carlos," Beckwith's attorney. Please don't try to turn this into some type of racial issue: It is not. This is about a mayor, who happens to be black, doing all of the things and more that ladd reported in her article. Don't kill the messenger!!!!!!!!!

justjess

Mar 7 2007

Corrections: Coxwell was Beckwith's attorney: Not Carlos who defended the guy in TX on death row. MY BAD.

justjess

Mar 7 2007

Just thought of this: Who is the most famous non-white-supremacist murderer you can think of it? Substitute the name of his/her attorney for Beckwith for a second. The point is still the same. You missed on this one, 'Fish.

DonnaLadd

Mar 7 2007

Fish, Ladd is a big girl and can certainly make the point about the attorney as she sees fit. Telling her to pull that sentence is a bit ridiculous. Ladd, You're an experienced editor and you can rationaly agree that you were going for drama and what it infers to note "Hires attorney who defended Delay Beckwith." And your point was not solely that it's sad he needs a defense lawyer. He already has piles of them. Even if in your heart of hearts you didn't intend it, using this jacka**es name is going to carry the baggage that you were hoping lent even more leverage for this piece. It doesn't need it.

bobnoxious

Mar 7 2007

My point was that it is sad that we have a mayor who feels that he has to hire a very high-powered defense attorney who has defended notorious murderers, which is exactly what I said my point was already. Bob, you are being less obnoxious than 'Fish about it, but you too are telling me what I think. Note your own language. Thanks, guys, for trying to help this little lady figure out what my point was, but I already know well. As you point out to 'Fish, Bob, I am a big girl. ;-)

DonnaLadd

Mar 7 2007

It is all Frank's world, we just live in it.

Willezurmacht

Mar 7 2007

I haven't put words in anyone's mouth. I don't think of the Ladd as someone who needs assistance. I just disagree with her on how one sentence reads. That is it. I agree with the point of how it means Frank is going out to hire high priced legal talent and all that entails, however, I just think saying he had to hire top defensive attorneys like Mr. Coxwell doesn't have the sensationalistic angle like saying he hired Beckwith's attorney does. Like I've said before, its your paper, site, etc. I just think a little differently on that issue. No one is trying to tell you how to write or put words in your mouth. I'm just expressing my thoughts. I DID say I liked reading the rest of it in case no one noticed. Had some good lines in there.

Kingfish

Mar 7 2007

so how is this all going to shake out, I wonder?

Izzy

Mar 7 2007

You did inform me I should remove that line, but I'll forgive you for overstepping your boundaries, 'Fish. ;-)

DonnaLadd

Mar 7 2007

I've always wondered about his selective 'crime busting' tactics. THESE guys need to be hunted down, and THESE guys need to live in my house and be mentored. I think there is a clear pattern in some of the active pursuit he uses on people whom are open adversaries to the people he protects and with whom he has open, personal associations. He's been aiding some criminals by going after that person's enemies. at what point do we start calling it aid to those in a criminal enterprise?

jp!

Mar 8 2007

One of the good things about the Beckwith trial/ordeal was that he was not only represented ably, and lost, but he was represented by two of the most principled attorneys I know. two People who really do actively work in the community against the spirit of Beckwith and his ilk's legacy. If anything, i'm glad to see Melton with an attorney i respect, even if i don't care for the mayor.

jp!

Mar 8 2007

This is cool. Richard Fausset of the Los Angeles Times quotes this editor's note in a piece today that's making the wire circuit. Here it is in the Baltimore Sun.

DonnaLadd

Mar 8 2007

Ray was asked, but won't give further details.

Ray Carter

Mar 9 2007

To defend Melton???

DonnaLadd

Mar 9 2007

Wow, Donna, that's cool that you got yourself mentioned in the L.A. Times and the Baltimore Sun! The JFP's quest for worldwide domination continues!

golden eagle

Mar 10 2007

As far as the editorial itself, even if Hollywood were to roll production on this D-list movie, it would quickly go down in movie purgatory with such blockbusters like Ishtar, Glitter and Gigli. Or, it could pull a Borat and do pretty well.

golden eagle

Mar 10 2007

A documentary would probably would be easier to pull off. It's hard to picture actors who would portray the parties involved. Who on earth would play Melton? Sherman Hemsley (George Jefferson)? LOL!

LatashaWillis

Mar 10 2007

That sergeant in "Soldier's Story" reminded me a lot of Melton.

DonnaLadd

Mar 10 2007

I thought about him too, Donna, but I couldn't remember his name. The actor's name was Adolph Caesar, who was also Ole Mister in The Color Purple. He died of a heart attack in 1986.

LatashaWillis

Mar 10 2007

No. that character would have the guts to jump into combat with you and not just talk big. He was a mean snake but he was the kind that in combat you would want with you. Melton would be a tough talking REMF who would send everyone else out first or have alot of protection and damn sure wouldn't be leading from the front if it was for real. Keep in mind the sergeant also had respect for the soldiers that had the backbone that stood up to him. Melton would see someone like that as an enemy.

Kingfish

Mar 10 2007

Good points, Kingfish. I was thinking more about how the actor looked and if I thought he could sound like Melton.

LatashaWillis

Mar 10 2007