Jackson Free Press

It seems The Clarion-Ledger is suddenly going somewhere it hasn't dared to go in over 20 years in its story today about the R.J. Washington case. The bizarre thing is that there are no new allegations here, although perhaps new to them. I recall an editor over there belittling our stories back during the campaign (stories that Melton himself tipped us to, starting with this one) about the old criminal allegations against Melton (and his denials), saying that they were bogus. The question is, if the Ledger believes that, why are they running this story today—which has no evidence, other than a deposition and some history of the criminals who have been living in his home? It's presented like a big investigative package, but there isn't anything there but the deposition, some known background on the Sharrod Moore case and some quick rehash of stuff we've reported for years. Odd, but very Ledger.

Previous Comments

ID

119836

Comment

Also, per usual, the Ledger doesn't give credit where it's due, but WAPT reported about this deposition weeks ago. I'm sure that's how they knew it was out there.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-05-08T08:09:17-06:00

ID

129536

Comment

Should we thank them for finally noticing or berate them for being so flipping late?

Author

Ironghost

Date

2008-05-08T10:09:23-06:00

ID

129539

Comment

What's funny is that Frank Melton claims he doesn't know Sharrod Moore and wouldn't know who he was if he walked in the room, but investigators, according to Robert Johnson, were aware that Melton and Moore knew each other. As for the Ledger's coverage, didn't they have a different editor at the time when Melton was running? Perhaps that could explain their Johnny-come-lately stance on Melton?

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-05-08T11:02:02-06:00

ID

129540

Comment

Now he's calling for a federal probe to investigate who's behind the allegations against him.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-05-08T11:12:00-06:00

ID

129541

Comment

Frank is as innocent as the driven-thru snow. I'm with him 100%. The feds will clear him again.

Author

Walt

Date

2008-05-08T11:22:16-06:00

ID

129543

Comment

Walt why would he lie if he didnt have anythinig to hide. He knew moore.

Author

NewJackson

Date

2008-05-08T11:40:16-06:00

ID

129544

Comment

No, they didn't have a different editor then -- Ronnie, Grace, Don, Sid, David. They were wound up in that lawsuit with him, though, which they didn't tell readers about. And knew he was lying under oath about leaking that document to them. They are extreme johnny-come-latelies on the Melton sage, and I doubt they understand to what extent. Otherwise, I'm not saying a word.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-05-08T11:43:15-06:00

ID

129545

Comment

Walt, I have a question. Would it be a federal issue if someone is falsely accusing Melton of something? Wouldn't the recourse be civil? Why the letter to the feds? Reminds me of the threat to bring in the high-priced Texas lawyer in years past when Jimmy Wilson was trying to get the feds to investigate the allegations about the Juvenile Detention Center and the murders of the two young men. That threat sure seemed to shut the Ledger up. For years, in fact. OK, enough from me. I have work to do. And anything additional I have to say on this should be in a different form.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-05-08T11:46:34-06:00

ID

129546

Comment

NewJack Frank knows of everybody. He was a mentor of giant proportions. I've represented some defendants he knew and counseled at some point. I'm still looking for one of his guys that his counseling saved. They must be hiding. Surely they exist. Knowing of is not knowing intimately or the equivalent being involved in some unsavory way. Frank lied because that what he does, and he's good at it. In other words, he lies because someone asks him a question. I need to go and read the ledger story before saying more.

Author

Walt

Date

2008-05-08T11:52:40-06:00

ID

129547

Comment

I don't see how this is a federal issue or question. I imagine he's asking for their help to avoid any claims that JPD or HCSD showed favortism or hide information on his behalf. Frank is a smart man.

Author

Walt

Date

2008-05-08T11:56:46-06:00

ID

129548

Comment

It'd be a civil suit, if my vauge recollections are right. But then Frank would have to get on the stand, and that'd be hysterical to see someone trust Frankie-Boy to actually tell the truth.

Author

Ironghost

Date

2008-05-08T12:15:13-06:00

ID

129550

Comment

Walt dont let your closeness to him clog your good judgement.

Author

NewJackson

Date

2008-05-08T12:32:26-06:00

ID

129552

Comment

What closeness? I'd be the first one he has locked up or he orders his boys to do a smackdown on. He and I aren't friend. He and his entourage probably think I'm one of his biggest critics or detractors. I will spend a week at Depaul Law School at the end of the month with one of his old lawyers. Hopefully, he won't be angry at me for criticizing Frank.

Author

Walt

Date

2008-05-08T13:21:03-06:00

ID

129553

Comment

MELTON'S CHICKENSSSS....ARE COMING HOME...TO ROOST!

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2008-05-08T17:02:30-06:00

ID

129554

Comment

I'm just curious if the recording studio has opened yet. :)

Author

Scott Albert Johnson

Date

2008-05-08T20:10:35-06:00

ID

129557

Comment

Don't hold your breath waiting on one.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-05-08T22:39:13-06:00

ID

129558

Comment

Notice that now Melton is calling for the federal authorities to investigate? Isn't that always what he does? I think it's just to throw off suspicion. The assumption is that if he's calling for them to investigate, he doesn't have anything to hide. So transparent!

Author

honey2me

Date

2008-05-09T07:00:46-06:00

ID

129567

Comment

Let's see: The big Melton murder implication story comes out on the front page of the CL on Thursday, May 8, but according to the letter http://www.clarionledger.com/assets/pdf/D010799258.PDF Melton sent to authorities requesting a federal investigation is dated April 8, 2008. As usual, something just doesn't add up. Who informed Melton that he was implicated in the murder in the first place, and isn't the DA ethically bound to keep such evidence in a case sealed? Something stinks in Jackson's DA office!!!

Author

blu_n_a_redstate

Date

2008-05-09T14:55:21-06:00

ID

129572

Comment

Walt: "Frank lied because that what he does, and he's good at it. In other words, he lies because someone asks him a question." Jeff: "MELTON'S CHICKENSSSS....ARE COMING HOME...TO ROOST!" Scott: "I'm just curious if the recording studio has opened yet. :)" Y'all are killing me! ROTFL!

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-05-10T02:12:30-06:00