Jackson Free Press

Full JFP Melton Archive/Blog

The health of Jackson Mayor Frank Melton is having a decided impact on the trial over his role in the 2006 illegal demolition of a home on Ridgeway Street. U.S. District Judge Dan Jordan, who is presiding over Melton's trial, held a three-hour closed hearing yeaterday to review whether the mayor is healthy enough to face a jury. At the end of the hearing, Jordan allowed reporters back in the courrtoom. "I've heard testimony from two of Melton's doctors and his bodyguards, and as you know, Melton has made a motion for continuance of trial. I will look at some cases this evening and transcripts from witnesses and enter a ruling tomorrow," he said.

Melton has scheduled a 10 a.m. press conference at City Hall today.

The mayor and his city-paid bodyguard Michael Recio, face three felony counts connected to the August 2006 demolition of the rental duplex, an incident first reported by the Jackson Free Press. Melton's former bodyguard Marcus Wright, a third party involved in the alleged demolition, pled guilty in October and is now working with authorities in Melton's and Recio's prosecution. Both the defendants face up to 25 years in prison for constitutional violations relating to the demolition, which were allegedly directed by Melton and performed by teenagers with sledgehammers, as well as the mayor himself with a large stick.

Jordan ordered Melton to gather his doctors, professional opinions and medical records to present to the court last week. Jorden noted that Melton had not asked for a continuance of the trial, and The Clarion-Ledger reported yesterday that Melton wanted to move forward with the precedings. However, Melton's attorney, John Reeves, told reporters yesterday that he advised Melton to go ahead and file the contiuance.

Reeves gave no indication of Melton's personal feelings on the move, telling reporters that "the mayor is accepting his attorney's judgment."

If Melton wins the continuance, it will be the third delay in the stuttering trial since his July indictment.

Melton requested and received a continuance from Jordan one month after his indictment on the basis of the mayor's inability to find a permanent attorney to cover his defense, then another in November, while Melton's and Recio's lawyers pored over the prosecution's evidence.

Melton suffers chronic heart problems, is a longtime smoker and is allegedly a heavy drinker according to court filings. Wright told the court that the mayor was intoxicated the night of the duplex demolition. Earlier this year, Melton said he had a defibrillator implanted in his chest.

The controversial mayor's health problems proved timely in 2007, when he checked himself in to St. Dominic Hospital as he was about to be arrested for a bond violation. Melton lingered in the hospital, complaining of chest pains for days while his attorney, former Jackson Mayor Dale Danks, worked furiously to get the judge overseeing Melton's probation violation removed from his trial.

Danks succeeded in pushing Circuit Judge Tomie Green from the trial one day after Melton left the hospital and reported to county deputies. Melton spent only one night in jail after avoiding arrest for almost a week.

Previous Comments

ID

142541

Comment

Adam called in to say that they kicked everyone out of the courtroom during the discussion to give Mr. Melton medical privacy. The Ledger is reporting that he has blood clots in his legs. Stay tuned for more ...

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-12-29T14:30:24-06:00

ID

142544

Comment

Why does melton get more privacy than the President of the United States or members of his cabinet?

Author

justjess

Date

2008-12-29T15:17:12-06:00

ID

142545

Comment

I'm curious myself as to why the judge thinks that the Jackson's mayor's health details are not the public's business. Clearly, if he's not healthy enough to stand trial, he's not healthy enough to be mayor, and should step down.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-12-29T15:23:27-06:00

ID

142546

Comment

The C-L story also said that Melton looked ashen and appeared to have lost weight. Donna, I know you've reported before how bad his health is, but I seriously wonder now if he'll even survive through the trial or the rest of his term in office.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-12-29T15:26:23-06:00

ID

142547

Comment

Also, I can see where people would (and should) want to know about the mayor's health, but wouldn't the HIPAA laws come into effect as far as releasing someone's health information to the public?

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-12-29T16:17:06-06:00

ID

142549

Comment

Very possible, but that doesn't mean Melton shouldn't tell us himself. I'm just grousing. I'm so tired of these reindeer games.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-12-29T17:48:57-06:00

ID

142550

Comment

Hell, I would lose weight and have all sort of clots including a major clot in my bile if I was facing 25 years for being stupid. Clots, constipation, dry skin, warts, sinus and if I could I would probably try to say I was clone or had a hidden gene known as the stupid gene and that why I am not responsible for my actions. I bet Melton is just like ET he wants to phone home!!!

Author

Hot Sauce

Date

2008-12-29T18:52:47-06:00

ID

142552

Comment

Very possible, but that doesn't mean Melton shouldn't tell us himself. No argument here, but I wouldn't hold my breath on him telling us his health situation. But in the spirit of justjess's statement, if we expect presidents and presidential candidates to release their health information, so should mayoral and other candidates of elected office.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-12-29T19:11:36-06:00

ID

142553

Comment

The Ledge is reporting that a ruling will come on Tuesday as to whether or not the trial will be delayed. However, there's a statement I saw that doesn't make sense: "Melton has requested the delay although both he and his attorney, John Reeves, said the mayor doesn't want one." If Melton doesn't want the delay, why did he ask for one to begin with?

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-12-29T19:32:34-06:00

ID

142554

Comment

Read above, Golden! We updated this story to reflect that hours ago. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-12-29T19:34:48-06:00

ID

142556

Comment

Sorry! I'm not all there right now.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-12-29T19:43:49-06:00

ID

142557

Comment

"Melton has requested the delay although both he and his attorney, John Reeves, said the mayor doesn't want one." As usual, a walking contradiction. I don't know about anyone else, but I am tired of this case and wish someone would do something already. Wasn't he indicted in JULY?!?!?!

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-12-29T19:44:34-06:00

ID

142558

Comment

I heard on either WAPT or WJTV that Melton was so weak today that he was leaning against a wall to hold himself up.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-12-29T19:46:29-06:00

ID

142561

Comment

If your diet consisted of scotch and cigarettes yu would be weak and ashen also. From what I have heard the man is very sick. but alot of it is due to him not taking his medicine regularly and over indulging in liquor and cigarettes. The judge should go forward with the trial on Monday or put Melton under supervised confinement to insure he takes his medicine and leaves the booze and cigarettes alone. Otherwise his health will never get any better. If left to himself Melton will continue to drink and smoke himself to death.

Author

wellington

Date

2008-12-30T08:26:08-06:00

ID

142562

Comment

Ladd, can I use health problems so that I do not have to pay my House note, Electric Bill, or Water Bill, I don't think so! What would happen if the judges allowed all criminals the leverage to use health problems in order not to stand trial? They would come up with illness that would last until they die of natural causes. There is a solution, Melton has already stated that h was guilty then why fight? Plead guilty show remorse rather than arrogance and maybe the judge will be somewhat forgiving. Sike! I was just joking, they need to set an example with Melton and stop this type of stupidity from ever happening again. Hey Melton, why don't you tell the judge to allow Crisler to go with you. They say both of you are two peas in a pod.

Author

Hot Sauce

Date

2008-12-30T08:37:14-06:00

ID

142563

Comment

Late breaking story all criminals in the United States have come down with a serious illness, the illness is known as lie-my-butt-off has swept through the justice systems. Look out for signs of 90 proof sweat leaking out of your pores, breath smells like smoke and your lips quiver when you lie. This dreaded and very dangerous illness is often seen right before the trial dates of Criminals. The name given this illness was due to the first person that had this illness, Mayor Frank Melton!!!

Author

Hot Sauce

Date

2008-12-30T08:46:24-06:00

ID

142565

Comment

Drinking a lot of liquor doesn't necessarily ruin your ability to function. Winston Churchill reportedly drank a quart of whiskey a day. He once stated, Alcohol doesn't make people into idiots, it just makes idiots act more idiotic! I would be one sick fellow if I were facing a long stay in the pokey. Shiver me timbers! I think it's the big one Elizabeth!

Author

FreeClif

Date

2008-12-30T09:16:55-06:00

ID

142567

Comment

Adam and I just returned from his press conference. He's definitely terrible looking; something is wrong with him. But he said he's under gag order and can't talk about his health. (I doubt that he can't talk about his health under the gag order; he is mayor.) Adam will post a story about his other comments shortly. Apparently, a no-baggy-pants ordinance is his first big step toward fighting crime. Sigh.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-12-30T11:21:59-06:00

ID

142569

Comment

That's a weird gag order that Melton can't talk about his health. I can see if the doctors were told not to do so. I wonder if it's done to not sway potential jurors.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-12-30T12:30:53-06:00

ID

142570

Comment

Actually, if he is in the late stages of alcoholism (entirely possible considering his age and the probability that he's been a heavy drinker for years), his health and ability to function would most definitely be affected. I'm not taking up for the man, because I also think this could just be a big act to buy time. But alcoholism does eventually destroy a person physically and mentally. He needs to step down either way.

Author

andi

Date

2008-12-30T12:43:17-06:00