Jackson Free Press

"So many of us feel, throughout the city of Jackson, that the mayor was murdered. ... I believe that someone killed him. Now I can't prove it, but I'm going to say it. ... That's how I feel in my heart, and a lot of other people feel he was killed."

—Hinds County Supervisor Kenny Stokes raising doubts about whether Mayor Chokwe Lumumba's death resulted from foul play.

Why it stinks:  It's just plain irresponsible of Stokes—to say nothing of local media outlets who broadcast his unverified remarks—as an ally of the mayor and someone that people might assume is in the know about the mayor's death to go spouting off conspiracy theories that even he admits he has no proof for.

Stokes' remarks represent not only an ugly distraction as Jackson continues to grieve Lumumba's loss and wonder what the future holds for their city government, but a painful distraction for Lumumba's family. While mourning his dad and planning a memorial service, Lumumba's son had to issue media statements in response to Stokes' ludicrous and unfounded claims. It was shameful.