Jackson Free Press

It didn't take long for Frank Melton to come out of the closet on Election night as a primary force in Robert Smith's district attorney campaign. Raw footage of Smith's victory party shows that Melton's people—especially contract employee Bob Hickingbottom—directed what happened at the party. Like when Melton stepped up to the mic to introduce Smith.

"While there've been a lot of things said and different things, here's the truth. I've known Robert just like many other kids in Jackson ever since he's been in high school, I've known his family, and I've treated him just like I have any other young person when they were in high school," Melton started out.

Even as he was proving them right, Melton laughed at people who worried about his influence on Smith's campaign—and his reign as D.A.: "[H]e is not a puppet for me, trust me; he stays on my butt all the time for different things. But I am so proud of him."

Melton admitted he had tried not to be seen as behind the campaign. "And Robert, you're like a little brother to me, I love you, I will always love you. I know had to distance myself from you during your campaign, but as I told you from the start, hold your head up."

The mayor then made a joke about how Smith had called his house earlier to say that he would be the new D.A.'s first arrest.

It was vintage Melton. He treated a grown man like a child. He telegraphed that he was in charge. He joked about the very serious charges that the current D.A. brought against him for leading a team of cops and juveniles to destroy a home without a warrant.

He also implied that he and Smith were already making plans about how to run the office: "I tell you, you're going to be so proud, so proud of what's getting ready to happen."

One thing that Melton assured the crowd would happen was that Smith would help him continue his work with young men in Jackson: "I thank God tonight that I have somebody now that will help me with these children. I thank God tonight that I have somebody that will help me put these drug dealers in jail."

This sounds great, as it did when Melton used his lock-up-the-thugs rhetoric during his mayoral campaign. The problem, of course, is in the details behind the rhetoric. For one, the Jackson Police Department—run by Melton puppet Shirlene Anderson—did not report a single arrest for drug sales to the FBI in 2006.

While Melton was the head of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, he chose not to focus on making drug arrests there, either. Instead, he put much of his—and his staff's—energy into rounding up a smallish group of what he called "Wood Street Players" who, he said, committed several murders in Jackson. He also "brought in" other accused criminals—like the young men the media called the "Greyhead gang"—which meant that he was the first contact on evidence that would later prove insufficient to convict them.

Melton only stayed with MBN for 14 months; Gov. Barbour soon replaced him with someone who actually brought the number of drug arrests back up out of the toilet.

The mayor's remarks last week, though, hinted at his approach to helping and mentoring young men that confounds to many Jacksonians, including young people in the neighborhoods he obsesses over.

"Robert knows how to make the difference between those kids that we can save and those kids that we need to deal with. We have somebody in that office now that the mayor's office can work with," he said, implying that Smith would join him in his odd approach to treating many young criminals like angelic victims (like Michael Taylor, whom he hid from the D.A. and the sheriff) and others he hates so much that he threatens their mamas while carrying a shotgun (Albert Donelson).

He helps some, and targets others. Those he "helps" often end up committing more serious crimes. After they get out of prison, though, he tries to put them into a position to "help" other kids—at least until they commit another crime. The cycle is confusing, and it's troubling, indicating that while Melton may have young people's best interests at heart, he seems to have little idea how to help the ones who need it most.

It is disturbing that Melton seems to believe that the new Hinds County D.A. is going to support his game of playing favorites with the neediest children of Jackson—an ugly game that ends up pitting them against each other. The witness accounts of Wood Street juvies jumping off the Mobile Command Center and beating up a handcuffed Tonari Moore at the Upper Level come to mind.

The voters did not elect Robert Smith to coddle the "children" that Melton loves like little brothers, and throw every book in his office at the ones that Melton despises. This is no way to help kids, fight crime, lead a city or, most certainly, run the prosecutorial efforts of the state's most populous county.

Word is that after footage and audio of Melton's remarks started leaking out the next day—The Clarion-Ledger didn't even report Melton's introduction the next morning—Robert Smith started trying to distance himself from Melton, even saying that the mayor crashed his party. Certainly, it sounds like Melton—and his good friend Ed Peters—have been crashing Smith's campaign for months, or perhaps years, now.

But let's assume that Smith was shocked and awed that Melton appeared out of the woodwork, took the mic and spoke almost twice as long as he did about him watching Smith come of age, being like a "little brother," and talking with him about how to run his new office. If that was the case, Smith failed his first test as D.A.-elect. He let Melton walk all over him before he even accepted the job.

It's hard to believe that Smith is going to go from the beaming new D.A. standing next to Melton to a strong prosecutor who will arrest Melton and his yes-men (his former client Marcus Wright was there, cheering). If he can't, or won't, stand up to a man trying to act like his mentor in front of TV cameras, how can we expect him to challenge a mayor who routinely rewrites the law to his own whim?

Most vexing is the thought that Melton's games with the young people of Jackson are now going to spread from his home, City Hall and the police department onto the top floor of the Hinds County Courthouse. Smith needs to tell this big brother to get his butt back into his own branch of government and leave the D.A.'s office alone. Post-haste.

Previous Comments

ID

75279

Comment

Folks, I know this is coming late in the game, but I listened to the tapes of my first visit to Melton's home again last night—that bizarre night when everyone was there—and Melton introduced Smith to me as "one of mine." I had asked Smith what Melton meant by it—I'll post the verbatim response later. I had honestly forgotten this exchange in all the piles of stuff I have on Melton et al.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-09-06T10:07:33-06:00

ID

75280

Comment

Wow! Good stuff!

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-09-06T10:08:42-06:00

ID

75281

Comment

Yeah, someday I'll podcast the Best of the Ride-alongs. You really knew to hear our conversation about the badges and the dog. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-09-06T10:17:59-06:00

ID

75282

Comment

Great article, Donna. I really don't think we'll get the leadership we're looking for from Smith. I didn't vote for Melton, but once he was elected I supported him as our Mayor......right up until he started showing his but. I didn't vote for Smith either, but plan to support him as the DA.......right up until he starts showing his but.

Author

honey2me

Date

2007-09-06T15:55:29-06:00

ID

75283

Comment

"butt"

Author

honey2me

Date

2007-09-06T15:56:19-06:00

ID

75284

Comment

In a related note, news reports indicate 2 more jury convictions by "Hinds County juries" (read, by the DA's office) today. An armed robbery conviction from the Delaughter court in Raymond and a triple murder/kidnapping from the Kidd court in Jackson. Another day at the office for Faye's crew, apparently.

Author

xxgreg

Date

2007-09-06T16:04:10-06:00

ID

75285

Comment

Per Ms. Ladd's instruction, here we go . . . sorry for the tangent. PS, a very good article and good points made. A very wise court reporter (and someone who has been very outspoken on civil rights in MS) that I know stridently urged me to support Robert Smith - I told her I wouldn't support him because he was clearly a "meltonite" !!! Apparently many in the legal community feel Peterson is inept, and Smith has at least some expertise at defending criminals, now lets see if he can prosecute them!

Author

docj

Date

2007-09-10T17:31:16-06:00

ID

75286

Comment

Thanks to all those who want to quote (or misquote) the Health Information Portability and Accessibility Act. I think you can find it at 42 US § 300gg, et seq. I appreciate your concern over patient privacy but again, this matter has been "placed in issue" in the courts and I am only providing you what has been previously either testified to in open court or provided to our DA's office. I have not stated at any time I was present at the "Upper Level Club," only that Moore did not appear to have been involved in an altercation and was not beaten. This contradicts the statement in the JFP and thus perhaps is the reason it is being "jumped on" by some bloggers? I fail to see how someone can be beaten by multiple persons and have no physical marks or evidence to support same. I am not taking issue with Ms. Ladd, but only wished to point out the discrepancy between what "some witnesses" appear to have alleged (again, what witnesses? who were they? what motives did they have to make these statements?) and what is truly factual. I am in no way attempting to stick up for Melton or any of his bunch, much to the contrary. I appreciate Ms. Ladd's objectivity and efforts to bring out the truth. Somewhere between both sides of a story it can often be found . . .

Author

docj

Date

2007-09-11T11:02:19-06:00

ID

75287

Comment

I don't think anyone is "jumping on" you docj. I think the point is that you did not see what happened at the club and cannot know whether Wood Street juvies jumped off the MCC and went after Moore while in handcuffs. We can understand that you say that he later did not show signs of a bad beating. But that does not, on its face, prove that the witnesses are lying. Let me tell you a story: I was mugged once in my neighborhood in NYC. The guy hit me in the face and took my wallet. We found the police and identified him. He no longer had the wallet, and the police would not arrest him because I showed no sign of being hit. Certainly it is possible that all the witnesses are lying. It is also possible that these boys jumped off the bus swinging and didn't land punches that left Moore in a visibly "beaten" state. It may even mean that it was all for show, and they weren't trying to hurt him, and just act up. (Not that Melton's folks would ever do anything for show.) It may mean that a better word above in my column would be "attacking" rather than "beating up," but it doesn't change the point I was making. And it's interesting that you are demanding to know the identity of the witnesses, while giving your own testimony anonymously here. I really do suggest that we continue this offline. I am very interested in any information that you can provide to help fill in blanks, and you should not say too much here if you want to stay anonymous, which I can understand.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-09-11T11:12:10-06:00

ID

75288

Comment

Agreed and understood, and I do appreciate your support! it is entirely possible that some of FM's thugs attacked this man, and he suffered no injuries. sorry to hear about your NYC episode! keep in touch!!

Author

docj

Date

2007-09-11T11:30:52-06:00

ID

75289

Comment

Suck It Meltonites! Two Jackson police detectives have been assigned to guard Hinds County District Attorney elect Robert Schuler Smith 24 hours a day, Jackson Mayor Frank Melton said this morning.... Smith said he had not received phone calls but had "direct information" that threats have been made. He did not elaborate on the threats, but he did say he had received the information before, during and after the Aug. 21 Democratic primary runoff. And we should pay for this why? Sure are a bunch of dumb smart people in Hinds.

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-09-12T16:10:46-06:00

ID

75290

Comment

What? It's deja vu all over again.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-09-12T16:12:23-06:00

ID

75291

Comment

Am I understanding this correctly...Frank says he has had threats, but this man says that he has information that there were threats. Who gave him the information.....Frank? Could it be that he wants Smith to know how much he needs to be down with Frank.

Author

Queen601

Date

2007-09-12T16:14:12-06:00

ID

75292

Comment

This is the DA candidate who said "vote for me because the criminals will be afraid of me"? And now he has 2 detectives watching over him 24 hours a day? Somebody explain this to me.

Author

xxgreg

Date

2007-09-12T16:26:17-06:00

ID

75293

Comment

Yes, I'm speechless. Again, the police chief gives Melton anything he wants -- including two police officers for his new D.A. Can't wait to see who they are. And why would Smith TAKE THEM? Is he this afraid? I really don't want to point out that I warned y'all that he may well be weak.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-09-12T16:32:35-06:00

ID

75294

Comment

BTW, why would the city pay for protection for a county/state employee? Is this legal?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-09-12T16:34:21-06:00

ID

75295

Comment

We shouldn't pay sh!t! I guess Smith is too smart to realize that this is Melton's way of keeping an eye on him.

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-09-12T18:25:39-06:00

ID

75296

Comment

And now he has 2 detectives watching over him 24 hours a day? Somebody explain this to me. Sounds like Melton has a Mini-Me in training.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-09-12T18:27:04-06:00

ID

75297

Comment

Certainly, it would be an intriguing way to keep tabs on Smith. Does he want these bodyguards!?! You really can't make this stuff up.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-09-12T20:33:12-06:00

ID

75298

Comment

So now that frankie says he's taking over NE Jackson patrols, will the new DA keep him in check? Sounds mighty cushy.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-09-12T21:14:57-06:00

ID

75299

Comment

You gotta love these two contrasting blurbs on the Ledger today: Next DA given police escort Twenty-four-hour police protection will be provided indefinitely for Hinds County District Attorney-elect Robert Shuler Smith, Jackson Mayor Frank Melton said Wednesday and Jackson may face layoffs, freezes Jackson could face layoffs, salary reductions and hiring freezes, the City Council said Wednesday during discussions to balance the fiscal 2008 budget. And everyone remember all those credible threats that Melton used as an excuse to carry weapons until Jim Hood stopped him. When I asked for evidence, he gave me a years-old letter from Jim Ingram and tried to show me an anonymous text message on his pager. This is crap. Buckle your seatbelts. The county is about to get what it voted for. Smith just failed his first test. He's drawing Melton closer to him, rather than the opposite. And Melton is likely going to watch his every move.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-09-13T06:19:35-06:00

ID

75300

Comment

I got a little info last night about precinct 4 last night. Did you know that: On any given shift, there are eight officers assigned to patrol that area. If you factor in those that have taken a day off, or called in sick that number could be as low as six. And, all throughout the shift the officers take breaks. That leaves about five officers to patrol a huge area. This includes traffic within the I-55 corridor, wrecks...whatever. These five do it all. And yet frankie runs around with an armed entourage as the city falls apart, and crime goes up. Now the DA will get an entourage as well. Crime Fighter? Hah.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-09-13T06:58:46-06:00

ID

75301

Comment

I got a little info last night about precinct 4 last night. Did you know that: On any given shift, there are eight officers assigned to patrol that area. If you factor in those that have taken a day off, or called in sick that number could be as low as six. And, all throughout the shift the officers take breaks. That leaves about five officers to patrol a huge area. This includes traffic within the I-55 corridor, wrecks...whatever. These five do it all. And yet, frankie runs around with an armed entourage as the city falls apart, and crime goes up. Now the DA will get an entourage as well. Crime Fighter? Hah.

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-09-13T06:59:03-06:00

ID

75302

Comment

I guess little frankie wll continue "to do his job", whatever the hell that is while the city goes broke, and the criminals take over. Hey, where are all those people that used to say, "Just let the man do his job" anyway? They don't seem to be as loud; not so much as peep lately

Author

Cliff Cargill

Date

2007-09-13T07:04:11-06:00

ID

75303

Comment

What y'all don't know is that Frank has finished his crime plan and regional investigation concerning where Jackson's drugs are coming from. He didn't want to finish his plan until he knew who the sheriff and district attorney would be. As I understand the facts, from reliable government sources, Frank plans to get the drug dealers and criminals from Texas thruout the south and as far away New York. With this kind of police and prosecutorial work about to be unleased on the southeastern region Frank and his whole entourage will need bodyguards to protect them from reprisals and repercussions. They're going after the east coast mafia too. Put on your seatbelts people and watch this town get cleaned up. The get drugs people will have to go out west or up north.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-09-13T07:52:30-06:00

ID

75304

Comment

Good grief..... Here we go again... Melton, bodyguards on patrol on Jackson streets Mayor admits he's likely "going to get in trouble" When will this end?

Author

Puck

Date

2007-09-13T08:35:32-06:00

ID

75305

Comment

Smith just failed his first test. He's drawing Melton closer to him, rather than the opposite. And Melton is likely going to watch his every move. Of course, now that he has his boot patrol following him around.

Author

Puck

Date

2007-09-13T08:37:42-06:00

ID

75306

Comment

You trying to be the last comic standing, Mr. Carter? "Frank plans to get the drug dealers "? Maybe he will double the amount of drug sale arrests JPD made last year? Let's do the math.... 2 X 0 = 0. There you go.

Author

xxgreg

Date

2007-09-13T09:16:07-06:00

ID

75307

Comment

Greg, what comedy do you refer? Frank and Team Get Them Criminals are about to embark on fighting crime like you have never seen crime fighting before. I'm serious! Watch and marvel. I had planned to keep this a secret, but I've just learned the copter has been turned over to Frank personally. In a matter of month they will be coming at us every which a way - the sky, ground, waterways and underground tunnels. Most of you didn't know Jackson had the later.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-09-13T10:26:59-06:00

ID

75308

Comment

I get you, Mr. Carter.

Author

xxgreg

Date

2007-09-13T10:47:06-06:00

ID

75309

Comment

frank said, "I know I'm going to be in trouble tomorrow," then he sped off like a bat out of hell. Zipping from one Black neighborhood to another in the MObile Command Unit. He is just another example of the talents of the "Energized Bunny." This man can hop so fast, eat his carrots and crap all over the place. Bluntson, Tillman and Stokes can't clean up frank's crap that fast. What the City needs is a SUPER DUPPER "DO DO" SCUPPER. Now Jackson must prepare to add some more charges to the red zone of the budget. Where is Sherline Anderson? Wasn't she told to keep frank's A$$ ouy of that Unit?

Author

justjess

Date

2007-09-13T11:10:32-06:00

ID

75310

Comment

Were they in the Mobile Command Center?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-09-13T11:21:59-06:00

ID

75311

Comment

Ray - Just curious, what are you talking about? Not meaning to sound stupid but with Frank you never know....

Author

Puck

Date

2007-09-13T15:11:33-06:00

ID

75312

Comment

Just kidding or shooting the bull, Puck. I have to be ignored about half the time. Comedy is my balance to maintain sanity and normalcy.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-09-13T15:17:05-06:00

ID

75313

Comment

When Melton made the statement that he "may get into trouble" regarding his patrols, he wasn't being serious. He knows that Faye is on her way out and is probably not caring one way or another what he does. Any charges that may be brought up will still be dragging on until Smith gets in office. Smith's first Meltonite assignment when he gets in office is to drop any charges. That man is brilliant! Also, in an interview Smith said that he would not be immediately firing the attorneys already in the DAs office. I don't believe that. I truly believe that he will need a staff that is true to him and who would be willing to turn a blind eye to things that don't exactly pass the smell test. Faye has some really good people. I hope they are able to get out before Smith takes office.

Author

honey2me

Date

2007-09-15T22:25:06-06:00