Jackson Free Press

The Mississippi Supreme Court reassigned Mayor Frank Melton's probation to Senior Judge Joe Webster on Monday.

The reassignment comes after the high court decided to recuse Judge Tomie Green from Melton's probation after numerous motions from Melton attorneys questioned her impartiality. The court did not explain its reasons for that decision.

Following that decision, every other Hinds County circuit judge refused to take the case.

Previous Commentsshow

We're a bit late in posting this order, but it's hardly a surprise. The question is, will Webster take the terms of Melton's probation seriously? He has made no intervention in Melton's bond. In fact, based on his public comments, he has seemed indifferent to potential violations. Will he let Melton do as he pleases until April, or will he require Melton to honor the terms of his probation and bond?

Brian C Johnson

Mar 13 2007

I'm going to go out on a limb here Brian... I honestly think Webster is going to put Frank back in Jail. I'd like if he would call for the arrest TODAY, but it's not going to happen until Melton gets back from Tyler. And then, he's going to have chest pains for a week.. But, I think Webster isn't going to sit around on his hands like Yerger, Delaughter and Kidd. He has nothing in the race. You know what I mean?

LawClerk

Mar 13 2007

Isn't Webster the one presiding over the Ridgeway trial?

Lady Havoc

Mar 13 2007

LawClerk - I wish I had as much faith, but I think he's going to think its much ado about nothing and possibly even make some statement that it was all in "the duties of the mayor." As the Mayor's attorney said, "this saga is over."

JenniferGriffin

Mar 13 2007

Hmm. Can the AG office force a probation hearing if the judge sits on probation violations?

GLewis

Mar 13 2007

If you have an AG that isn't scared of FM, that is. This one is afraid of potential lost votes and I don't look for him to even want to carry anything to this new judge. Unfortunately, I don't think this AG understands how many votes he's already lost.

JenniferGriffin

Mar 13 2007

GLewis, I believe that he's the one that will have to do it, since he was the one that prosecuted the first round of trials.

LawClerk

Mar 13 2007

Jennifer, It seems as though everyone is afraid to do anything. I don't get this. Especially someone like the DA, a Judge, or the AG. If Melton *were* to threaten, or cause to be threatened any of these people, it's not a good thing. I know we all like to say that they are afraid of Melton... but, I can't really believe that that is true, you know? I just can't believe that all of our judicial branch is complicit with this man's consistent law breaking. That disheartens me to no end. I really hope that when elections come around, we remember what is going on and choose wisely. lc

LawClerk

Mar 13 2007

lc - We'll see how long it takes the AG to file a motion with Judge Webster, and, if the Judge issues an arrest warrant. Even though Judge Green was recused, two MSSC Justices felt there was enough probable cause to warrant attention. If, and we don't know because there was no comment given, the MSSC ruled to recuse Judge Green because she had previously recused herself, then maybe that's why the majority of the justices voted to kill the warrant. Now that a new Judge has been appointed, that issue is moot. But at least two justices recognized there was probable cause. We'll see if the issue is brought back before the courts. But like you, I'm a bit disheartened and wish I had more faith is the courts and law.

JenniferGriffin

Mar 13 2007

The AG has also gained some votes from his willingness to step out and do the right thing—he may have helped save some lives by keeping guns away from Melton the last few months, maybe even Melton's. The saddest part here is that the media spent so many years allowing Melton to use them to turn himself into a folk hero that so many people think that he's fighting crime when there is no evidence of that whatsoever. It's truly bizarre that we've gotten into such a space that the AG would lose votes for trying to reel in an out-of-control public official. One would hoped that Mississippi would have progressed further than that. But, hey, we're a work-in-progress. ;-) Also, from my interviews with the AG, I don't think he's politically afraid of Melton at all. I think his weakness, if anything, is a bit too much compassion for a man who clearly has problems. Those aren't Hood's words; that's the impressive I've gotten. I admire compassion, but the Buddhists are onto something with the phrase "idiot compassion." You let people get away with too much incompetency (or worse), then you enable him to hurt himself and others. I hope all the public officials giving Melton a pass will consider the legacy they are going to create for themselves if this gets really ugly before it gets better—considering that they have done too little to save Melton from himself. And it doesn't take an idiot to see that every time he gets away with something, he goes and does something worse. He needs help, not enabling.

DonnaLadd

Mar 13 2007

true. Its not like the hearing of the violations was suppressed, its just going to be in another court is all. Justice can be served.

Kingfish

Mar 13 2007

Ladd and Kingfish, I wish I had your optimism that justice can be served. I just don't see it. I see the whole thing being remanded to the file and that's it. "The Saga is Over"....I believe the Mayor's attorney's words will prove correct.

JenniferGriffin

Mar 13 2007

Jennifer, don't mistake my comments as optimism. I rather doubt that justice will be served. I just don't think it comes down to the fact that the AG is worried about losing votes. Or, certainly, not solely. I'm really starting to think that very few judges in the state are willing to stand up to a rogue mayor who believes he can commit crimes to fight crime. One wonders why.

DonnaLadd

Mar 13 2007

In other words, call it hope. Not optimism.

DonnaLadd

Mar 13 2007

I'll have it the moment the AG takes the report from Dennis Grant, the one person I give major kudos to, and presents it to Judge Webster to ask for an arrest warrant.

JenniferGriffin

Mar 13 2007

I get the impression that some serious sounding people are gonna knock on Melton's door and tell him to resign or else they aren't gonna try to help him anymore. At least I *hope* that is what is going on in the background. As to the AG, I can't see him "ignoring" the issue of parole violations for fear of losing votes, given the opinions they have already issued from the office. Basically he has set forth his position, and not following it now would be suicide in any re-election campaign-not doing so would make claims of incompetancy stick a bit too hard in any future campaign. What the AG and the others involved in the case have to do now, and I think this is a reasonable fear on their part, is to avoid appearing "mean spirited"-Melton's doctor trips engender some sympathy and appearing firm yet compassionate is what they have to do to avoid losing votes.

GLewis

Mar 13 2007

I'll have it the moment the AG takes the report from Dennis Grant, the one person I give major kudos to, and presents it to Judge Webster to ask for an arrest warrant. Good point, Jennifer. We're pretty much at the same place here really. I said on the radio that I think that Dennis Grant is really getting trashed in this. Sounds like he's trying to do his job, and he's running headlong into the Melton Machine. GLewis, some "serious-sounding people" are long overdue stepping up to the plate and helping Melton and helping this city. I hope you're right. Mark my words: Things will get worse if the current cycle continues. Now, I agree on your last point, too. If the AG comes off "biased" (ahem), then they risk tainting the jury pool for April. Amazing the mess that buying into cheap "thug rhetoric" has gotten the city into, eh?

DonnaLadd

Mar 13 2007

Ladd, Do you know when Melton is scheduled to return to Jackson? I know he's in Tyler, but I wonder when he's coming back. I suspect that is when the proverbial sh*t will hit the fan. Also, the AG is not going to be prosecuting the April trials, so bias or not, I don't think the AG's attitude will weigh in on the April trials too much. Let me know if ya'll need an extra pair of ears to sit in on the trial and take notes. It would be my honor!

LawClerk

Mar 13 2007

hey, thanks to all the legal minds blogging, it helps us all make sense of this stuff!

Izzy

Mar 13 2007

Here come the crap....

angiebee

Mar 14 2007

amazing how much slander will erupt when its posted from an anonymous screen name.

Kingfish

Mar 14 2007