Jackson Free Press

Read the original breaking JFP story here.

Mayor Frank Melton is back in court for the fourth time since taking office as mayor. Melton is in Lauderdale County Circuit Court for a second time, so a jury can decide how much the mayor should pay two Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics agents for defamation.

Jackson attorney Mike Farrell, who is representing former MBN pilot Robert Pierce, said the trial will be very similar to the civil trial of last October, which ended in a hung jury.

"Everybody's presenting the same information as we did last year. The situation hasn't changed. I expect it to last about a week," Farrell said from Meridian, where the trial is being held.

Attorney Dale Danks, who is representing Melton in the civil suit, did not return calls.

Attorneys for MBN employees Pierce and Jimmy Saxton sued Melton in 2003. The case went to trial last October, but Lauderdale County Circuit Court Judge Robert Bailey called a mistrial after a week when it became evident that the jury could not reach a decision on how much Melton should pay in damages. Plaintiff's attorneys had asked for between $10 million and $20 million.

Melton has already lost the suit because Bailey struck down Melton's defense after the judge determined that Melton had lied in his testimony.

The mayor recently derided "snitches" in city government who release city documents to the press, but that is precisely how Melton got into legal trouble in this case. Melton, who was director of MBN for 14 months, faxed a memo incriminating both Saxton and Pierce to Clarion-Ledger reporter Ana Radelat on April 17, 2003. One day later, Radelat and The Clarion-Ledger ran a story based on the memo. In 2005, State Auditor Phil Bryant found that most of the allegations in the memo were false. Melton lied to the court for almost two years, denying that he had leaked the memo until Bailey ordered Radelat to reveal her source. Melton was that source.

The mayor defended his dishonesty to a state court last year, claiming he was being a good reporter by protecting a source, though Melton himself was the source in this case.

Farrell filed a motion for Bailey to award damages from the bench in April, noting that the court had the authority to do so if the defendant was, like Melton, in default. Bailey stuck to a jury trial, instead.

Jackson attorney Jim Kitchens said Bailey might not want to rely too heavily on Melton being in default.

"The defense is usually categorized as being in default if he or she does not respond to the court. Melton responded, even if his defense was struck for reasons of his faulty testimony," Kitchens said.

Jury selection in the trial began this morning, with Melton, Danks and his two city-paid bodyguards in attendance.

Previous Comments

ID

128773

Comment

Who are the bodyguards protecting melton from. Why does he want to expose the children at the YMCA if someone is after his hind-part?? Back to subject: Does this cat have 10 lives?????? He as already survived 9. Where will the 10 to 20 million come from if the jury agrees on such an amount. The State says it will not pay: His personal liability policy will no pay so, where is the money coming from?

Author

justjess

Date

2007-05-21T13:18:17-06:00

ID

128774

Comment

Where will the 10 to 20 million come from if the jury agrees on such an amount. The State says it will not pay: His personal liability policy will no pay so, where is the money coming from? Hmm, good question. It better not be Jackson, that's for sure.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-05-21T13:34:03-06:00

ID

128775

Comment

Jackson city council needs to fire the two body guards... He's in court. How much safer can you get? Seriously though, we don't need to keep paying for his bodyguards. Here's why: Melton cannot legally carry a gun. His bodyguards just recently had their police powers restored. So, for a period from September to April, Melton was without his "protection." Yet he was safe. No one came after him. Is this surprising? No! No one is after him! He does not need his city paid bodyguards. If HE wants to pay for them, fine.

Author

LawClerk

Date

2007-05-21T13:59:23-06:00

ID

128776

Comment

City Council has no authority whatsoever to fire police officers, LawClerk, though your other points are well taken. The $10 to $20 million--and I find it hard to believe the award will be that high--will come from Melton himself, out of his own pocket. Certainly, the city of Jackson is not liable because he was not mayor at the time.

Author

Brian C Johnson

Date

2007-05-21T14:02:17-06:00

ID

128777

Comment

I've always asked why he is allowed to have all these "foster" children around him if he feels like he's in constant danger. There's a disconnect there.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-21T14:11:51-06:00

ID

128778

Comment

Brian, It's a shame they can't. However, I do know that the city council can make some kind of vocal opposition to them being his bodyguards 24/7. I feel confident that there is something the council can do to stop them. Can't they refuse to let them work overtime? I know that the Legislators and others always make 'commendations' and other 'votes of no confidence' type motions... why can't the council voice their opposition?

Author

LawClerk

Date

2007-05-21T14:17:26-06:00

ID

128779

Comment

Okay, I am now puzzled...read some of the focus about the jury selection and lots of talk about his crime fighting and recent acquittal. And that has what to do with when he was at MBN and was the source of bad info on two of his staff? Oh, wait...I think I can answer that...it was all their fault. Okay, Adam...if you can please tell us why that was even part of the arguements for this trial?

Author

JenniferGriffin

Date

2007-05-21T16:13:26-06:00

ID

128780

Comment

Justjess wrote: "Where will the 10 to 20 million come from if the jury agrees on such an amount. The State says it will not pay: His personal liability policy will no pay so, where is the money coming from?" Maybe this is why he wants his (IMS company) to get its hands on the JPS $150 million dollar school bond contract---perhaps? ;) Just a thought, ha, ha.

Author

blu_n_a_redstate

Date

2007-05-21T16:16:31-06:00

ID

128781

Comment

Maybe Mr. Phillips will give him a little loan. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-21T16:21:18-06:00

ID

128782

Comment

The judge could save the good citizens of MS some money by just ruling on the damages. Maybe Melton can keep going to jury trials; but, at the very minimum the State should require Melton to repay all court cost for the trials. If that's where it is headed then just do it. Wrap it up. This one already going to be hung. It's so stupid.

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-05-21T17:39:48-06:00

ID

128783

Comment

Maybe Mr. Phillips will give him a little loan. ;-) Then we know it's time to call the FBI.

Author

golden eagle '97

Date

2007-05-21T18:49:33-06:00

ID

128784

Comment

"I'll kill a snitch. I'm not saying I have. I'm not saying I haven't. You know what I mean. Whatever."

Author

laughter

Date

2007-05-21T20:29:14-06:00

ID

128785

Comment

Sounds like Mister on The Color Purple: "Maybe. Maybe not. Who's to say?"

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-05-21T20:40:57-06:00

ID

128786

Comment

On the Council's agenda today: "RESOLUTION to vote of confidence/no confidence in the Director of City Legal Department (Allen, McLemore, Crisler, Barrett-Simon) (05/22/07)" Uh oh.... more drama for the Melton camp....

Author

cityofjacksonms

Date

2007-05-22T07:15:31-06:00

ID

128787

Comment

How about this? MERIDIAN — The wife of one of the men suing Mayor Frank Melton for libel damages offered tearful testimony Monday of how a leaked memo drove her marriage to the brink of divorce. "I didn't think I loved him anymore," Melissa Saxton said of her husband, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics agent Jimmy Saxton. In 2003, then-MBN Director Melton leaked a memo to Gannett News Service reporter Ana Radelat accusing Saxton and former MBN agent James Earl Pierce of inappropriate use of government equipment and aircraft. The memo became the basis for an April 18, 2003, story in The Clarion-Ledger and subsequent stories in newspapers across the state. Melissa Saxton, Saxton's wife since 1997, said the initial news coverage generated by the leaked memo upset her husband. Over time, Jimmy Saxton sank into a deep depression and was plagued by insomnia, headaches and mood swings. By early 2004, Melissa Saxton said, she was considering ending the marriage. "I hate to say it, but I just didn't want to deal with it," she said. "Communication (with her husband) was pretty much nonexistent. ... I started getting pretty angry about it." The marriage survived with the help of counseling, but she said her husband still is on anti-depressants and suffers the lingering effects of the leaked memo.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-05-22T07:57:34-06:00

ID

128788

Comment

I'm amazed at the fact that Sexton's wife would even talk to the C-L right now since they were involved in this. She must be a pretty formidable woman.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-05-22T08:00:04-06:00

ID

128789

Comment

"On the Council's agenda today: "RESOLUTION to vote of confidence/no confidence in the Director of City Legal Department (Allen, McLemore, Crisler, Barrett-Simon) (05/22/07)" Uh oh.... more drama for the Melton camp...." OH! They are following my advice! :P Now, do it for the Mayor, all of his administration, and two of your own council members.

Author

LawClerk

Date

2007-05-22T08:07:54-06:00

ID

128790

Comment

Too bad Melton doesn't care about the agents or their families. Too bad the jury won't care either because Melton is so cool and 'crime fight'in' and stuff.

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-05-22T08:10:32-06:00

ID

128791

Comment

You can't even get an Agenda on the website! I thought you used to be able to do that before each meeting?

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-05-22T08:13:13-06:00

ID

128792

Comment

OMG: Our City has signed on to some site called localhotspots.com to host our "Entertainment" section of the website. That is so rank. I hate it when sites take you to links outside the web page without telling you. I hate it worse when it is a really crappy, over advertised, content website. Cheap looking at that!

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-05-22T08:18:58-06:00

ID

128793

Comment

That is so rank. I hate it when sites take you to links outside the web page without telling you. I hate it worse when it is a really crappy, over advertised, content website. Cheap looking at that Dang, Pike. Who put a bee in your bonnet this morning? LOL I like the concept of the Web site, but the color scheme is a little too strong for my taste. I also think it's a little too crowded. A little dead space wouldn't hurt.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-05-22T08:49:07-06:00

ID

128794

Comment

This should be the Jury instructions from the judge: I want twelve jurors in and twelve jurors out; I want just one to tell me what you talked about. I want the verdict in as quick as a flash; I won't hear no sh!t , I just want the cash. melton has screwed up both of these MEN; And if quilty ain't you VERDICT - I will charge you TEN. (Millions that is - Black Goal - Texas Tea)

Author

justjess

Date

2007-05-22T10:44:07-06:00

ID

128795

Comment

"Now, do it for the Mayor, all of his administration, and two of your own council members." now, that's just plain mean. the city hasn't fallen into a hole just yet, so somebody somewhere in the city is doing something somewhat right...maybe?

Author

cityofjacksonms

Date

2007-05-22T16:24:08-06:00

ID

128796

Comment

No, cityofjacksonms, "the city has not fallen into a hole just yet" but, they just keep digging one. The old Clinton strategy is: If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging. This, the melton administration has not learned. Everything is one Big Gamble: One Big Game. You can't keep making the argument about what is going right in the city when there is so much evidence of what is and has gone wrong. These things are carbon copies of actions taken in other cities in the country that have bitten the dust.

Author

justjess

Date

2007-05-23T09:38:37-06:00

ID

128797

Comment

Any update on the melton trial today?

Author

justjess

Date

2007-05-23T15:52:41-06:00

ID

128798

Comment

Anybody notice this in Goliath today? This is Shirlene Anderson, testifying in Meridian yesterday: "He would make little threats (like), 'I'm going to sue you' to get out of doing his job," she said. "He would sue you, too." I know, I know. Who else could she be talking about but Melton, right? I mean, this is a guy who has threatened to sue just about every media source in the city. He's even claimed to have a lawsuit against the JFP, which was, you know, a lie. But it turns out she's not talking about her boss after all: Melton's defense team called Anderson to the stand to try to impugn Saxton's reputation as an MBN agent. Anderson, a former MBN deputy director under Melton, said Saxton was untrustworthy and difficult to work with.

Author

Brian Johnson

Date

2007-05-25T08:51:43-06:00

ID

128799

Comment

Brian, I saw her on WAPT last night, but I had trouble hearing what she was saying.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-05-25T08:59:30-06:00

ID

128800

Comment

Yeah, they asked her if he was a good employee. Which she replied, "No." And Shirlene is such a good employee. Dress for success Shirlene! LOL! At least they asked if Melton could fire her, implying she may be giving favorable testimony for Melton to keep her job. Of course, the Ledge didn't mention that line. Had to watch TV to get that one.

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-05-25T09:43:40-06:00

ID

128801

Comment

What was her answer, Pike?

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-05-25T09:47:19-06:00

ID

128802

Comment

I not sure because that is all I caught about it. I would think she said her job security wasn't a factor in her testifying.

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-05-25T09:55:45-06:00