District Attorney Faye Peterson took an offensive stance yesterday against her run-off opponent, Robert Smith. She accused Smith of being "in bed with criminals" because he has represented so many accused felons as a private defense attorney. He responded that she was also a public defender at one point. This exchange raises several questions: Is it accurate for Peterson to use the words "in bed with" criminals? Is it a sufficient response to say that she was also a public defender? This thread could also be a good place to list alleged criminals that Smith has represented for discussion.

Robert Smith is just doing an able job as an able attorney. Being in bed with criminal implies something improper is transpiring which isn't likely the case. I bet Robert earns every penny he receives. In-bed-with-criminal-lawyers, so to speak, are corrupt, on the take for the highest dollar, are shady characters and live large until the game is over by being arrested or they lose the wrong case(s) thereby suffering an untimely expiration from within their entourage or gang.

I doubt Faye Peterson meant at all that Robert Smith is shady, is on the take, or living large while thumbing his nose at the system. A bad choice of words perhaps and nothing more.

I thought about the comment alot before coming to the conclusion that I have no ideal what Faye meant by her "unusual" choice of words.

It kinda took me back to a comment that Melton witness/friend Christopher Walker made about "Faye being romantically involved with a gentleman." A claim that wasn't verified. But I vivdly remember Faye on the news that evening saying that "it shows what type of person someone is when they speak under a lady's skirt."

So when I heard that Smith was "in bed with the criminals" it took me for a loop because...well, let's just say I have heard a certain rumor about an umm...certain male candidate myself.

If indeed Ms Peterson, did use the terminology "in bed with criminals" in describing her opponent for District Attorney, she demonstrated a carelessness with words that is not becoming of a public official serving Justice. I feel an apology to her opponent would be in order.

What Faye said is nothing like Melton putting up a drug test failing, petty criminal to make vile remarks about Faye. Let's not forget how Danks and company jumped all over another woman, Judge Green, for a clerical error calling it felonious and grounds for removal from the bench.

Why doesn't anyone think that Smith could actually be "in bed with criminals" or whatever you want to call someone who gets many violent offenders off who have rap sheets as long as a country mile?

Tell me why Robert Smith could only meet Walker at Melton's house?

If the image of Jackson is going to improve, we will have to hold our officials to a higher standard than in the past. If Ms Peterson KNEW that Mr. Smith was "in bed with criminals" (if that is illegal as seems to be suggested), she is certainly experienced enough as a District Attorney to put him away. The absence of legal activity on her part indicates she was just slinging political mud. Let's expect more of her than that. And if he accused her of being a public defender at one time ---sounds like praise to me.

I do not know Mr Smith and I supported Faye in the last election, however, I am sick and tired of prosecutors jumping on every opponent that has done criminal defense. To get experience in criminal matters you either work as a prosecutor or do criminal defense. Apparently for many DAs, anyone that opposes them either has no experience or is "in bed with criminals" and has gotten criminals off. That just means they beat the prosecutor's case while maintaining their client's rights.

I just lost a LOT of respect for Faye. I don't know if I can vote against her, but I may not vote for her.


AGamma627

I don't know if he is in bed with criminals but a friend of mine did tell me that on election day he saw Darnell (Donald) Turner, of Wood Street fame, holding a "Vote for Robert Smith" sign on the I-55 frontage road. Mr. Turner has been convicted of several drug offenses in the past. Hmm?

I think D. Turner is one of the "Grayhead" associates not "Wood Street" associates. If that is the case, D. Turner is very close to F. Melton as well. D. Turner was accused of shooting "Flintstone", which is one of the "Wood Street" associates, at the Birdland Night Club on Farish Street. According to witnesses, that shooting was by order of F. Melton, but JPD reported the victim didn't want to pursue charges. Also, D. Turner was arrested for the shooting in the "Grayhead" case, by the way R. Smith represented him in that case, which courtroom testimony revealed D. Turner was the shooter. By the way, D. Turner was the only "Grayhead" associate that was allowed to post bond in that case, which is fine. But, while he was out on bond, he was arrested by JPD for a drug case, but got right back out. D. Turner was also accused of shooting one F. Melton's "kids" @ the Dairy Bar on Valley Street. D. Turner was identified, but F. Melton worked something out, and the charges were dropped. D. Turner also have current warrants out for his arrest for domestic charges where he routinely beats his babies moma. Think he just broke her foot last week. No need talking to her because he has placed the fear of God in her, and she will not go forward with any formal charges. Check w/ Hinds Co. Justice Court
And, the craziest thing about all of this is he is a Bail Bondsman right now. I think a bonding company is one of R. Smith's major contributors.

I've heard about the Dairy Bar shooting from people in the neighborhood, but I don't have all the details, nor can confirm that any of the facts just stated are true. I do know that Mr. Smith represented Mr. Turner.

Turner is a bail bondsman? I did not know that.

Yeap, he used to work for the late jimmy jam. As far as comfirming these allegation check w/ JPD. ha ha! Good Luck!
These allegations are a part of the record.

Here is more info on prior post R. Smith's Finance Report

Some notable donors besides Smith himself who donated the most to his campaign:

Wilson Carroll - Republican who ran last time for DA.
The Can Man - Hmmmm ?
William Winter - obviously delusional as he gets older.
Waller & Waller - This one smacks of conflict of interest considering the high court, with a Waller, granted all kinds of leeway to the Mayor, and his bodyguards. It was a Waller relative that told me during the trial this was just a Thompson political witch hunt. That should tell ya where they're at!

Ray, I understand that you have known Robert Smith for quite a while. Perhaps you guys may have even attended college together. But how much have you hung out with him recently? You have to realize that people change as they grow older and gain acquaintances or reacquaint themselves with less than admirable high school friends. I understand that defense attorneys by virtue of their profession have to communicate with gentlemen that are not the pillars of the community, but usually this communication is mainly in a professional setting. My problem with Smith is that he also hangs out with these same "alleged" drug dealers & murderers socially. I don't think you would be caught dead with these type of people outside of your professional life. These are the associations that bother me.

Turner is a bail bondsman? I did not know that.

I've seen a billboard for Dualot Bail Bonding. Is he affiliated with them?

In order to prove these facts. This PUBLIC INFORMATION has to be released from JPD. So, someone on the police dept. would to have to step up w/ a high probability that they will be terminated. Therefore, it is next to impossible to prove these allegations in reference to D. Turner. These cases may be M.I.A. if the media starts to inquire. (That's a Fact!!)
As far as which Bonding Co. D. Turner is working for now, don't know!!! However, working on it as we speak!!!!

I just glanced over Smith's campaign report quickly, and a few things popped out at me:

1. Bill Minor gave him a little money.

2. Stuart Irby gave money to both Purvis and Smith (and had supported Melton).

3. Most intriguing is the coincidence that Statewide General Insurance on Lynch gave Smith money—and is the agency Melton took Jermaine Brunson/Butler to for the insurance certificate for the Wood Street Lawn Service, as we reported here. Smith was also an attorney for Michael Taylor, Brunson's friend and "partner" in the lawn service.

And aren't Miller, Hamer & Cory Melton attorneys?

Anyone know who owns/runs Statewide?

matt thomas owns statewide.And, MHC attorneys are in partnership with danks and cory represents melton in the meridian case

Ummmmmm, such strang bedfellows. I don't think that Peterson is too far off accuracy with he claim of Smith being in bed with......Jackson has experienced too much disappointment, shame and heartache. Another blow will be the end.

These folks should take a look at the Bush administration and see how shady deals with shady folks have lead to pure distruction. It is not by political design that Carl Rowe resigned.

Robert is as clean as a whistle. I bet he grew up knowing many of the people he represented later in life. Also public defenders usually get lots of clients by the mere fact of making a name for themselves while in the public defenders office. Furthermore, Robert's grand-daddy was a legend in Jackson. His family name gets him lots of business. There is simply no proof he's in bed with criminals. I won't believe unsubstantiated rumors about either Faye or Robert.

I won't believe unsubstantiated rumors about either Faye or Robert.

And you shouldn't, Ray. We are certainly not arguing that he is "in bed with" criminals. The point of Truthwatch is to spotlight statements made by candidates and find out what factual basis there is/isn't for them.

The JFP has been concerned about who is supporting Smith, and whether he is more ready to do the job than the current DA—but that does not translate into an accusation that he is dirty. I have seen no evidence to support that.

To be even more clear, I personally am concerned about who might try to influence Smith if he doesn't toe the right line—as was done with Peterson in a dramatic, horrendous way with the Walker stunt. She stood up to that amazingly. I'm not sure that Smith is ready for the assaults on his character that could well come if he does not do what the mayor wishes. He doesn't have a dress tail, but there are other rumors to spread.

On another thread, people are asking about cases that Smith has tried that are connected to Melton in some way. Let's start a list of them here:

1. Marcus Wright - Melton's bodyguard, allegedly helped with Ridgeway duplex attack

2. Anthony Staffney - Long-time mentee of Melton, brother of Joseph Staffney, also mentee of Melton's who was killed. Acquitted of Carey Bias murder along with Vidal Sullivan and Marlon Warner (brother of Maurice). Now works for the city and was one of two Parks employees who helped Melton's youth camp a few weeks ago in Jefferson Davis County.

3. Darnell Turner - accused in "Grayhead" kidnapping/assault case. Melton announced as the trial started that it was an overreaction and that he had known the "kids" accused for a long time. (They were all in mid to late 20s.)

4. James Benton - Accused of helped Albert and Terrell Donelson kill Aaron Crockett. All three were acquitted after the D.A. was forced to drop Melton's "star witness" Christopher Walker because he had lied to the grand jury and was living in Melton's home, using a Frank E. Melton credit card, handling weapons although he was a convicted felon, and other issues. Smith went to Melton's home on the eve of the trial to interview Walker. The JFP was there. He soon told the JFP that he didn't know why Melton asked him to come there that night; he more recently said he had asked to interview Walker, a witness, and Melton told him to come that night. He said he said he told the JFP a different story earlier because he meant that he didn't know what Melton asked him to come when the media were there.

Anyone else?

I would love to ask Faye what she meant by her comment.

I think Adam has. Stay tuned.

(applause)