BREAKING: Frank Melton Indicted on Felony Charges
Sources are telling the Jackson Free Press that Mayor Frank Melton has been indicted on at least one felony charge by a special grand jury this morning. Sheriff Malcolm McMillin and District Attorney Faye Peterson are expected to announce details at press conferences at 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.
12:24 p.m.: Mayor Frank Melton, Police Chief Shirlene Anderson and Chief of Staff Marcus Ward just walked into the Hinds County Courthouse.
Yesterday, District Attorney Faye Peterson confirmed that the county's investigation of Melton for the events of Aug. 26 and 27 -- the details of which were first reported by the JFP -- had been completed and was headed to the next available grand jury. The next official grand jury meets in October, but she told the Jackson Free Press yesterday that it's "always possible" that a grand jury could meet sooner to take up the evidence against Melton.
Update: Sheriff Malcolm McMillin has called a press conference in his office for 12:30 p.m., followed by a press conference by District Attorney Faye Peterson in Judge Tomie Green's courtroom.
Update #2: Update #2: Sheriff McMillin spoke for two minutes before beginning to take questions, telling the assembled media that Mayor Frank Melton was indicted on several felony charges, along with his bodyguards, Jackson Police Department detectives Michael Recio and Marcus Wright, who were indicted on one charge apiece. McMillin didn't specify the charges, but did say that all three men have posted bail and have been released. The D.A. is going to elaborate on the charges in her own press conference momentarily.
The Sheriff was asked about Melton's demeanor, to which he responded, "I could say he wasn't happy."
The sheriff, responding to a question, told reporters that he thought this was the first public official he'd arrested in his 15 years in office..."Mayor Melton and I have known each other for over 20 years, we've had a work relationship and our friendship goes back 20 years...but the law applies to everybody."
Donna Ladd asked McMillin why this seemed to be happening so quickly, rather than waiting for the next grand jury to convene in October.
"Because of the sensitivity of having the chief executive officer of the city of Jackson being accused of these violations...it was in the best interest (of the city) to deal with it now," he said.
McMillin said that while the three men were the only current indictments, the teenagers and other people present with Melton could still be charged. "There is that possibility."
McMillin noted that the list of indictments includes charges that were investigated separately by the Attorney General's office, although he didn't say which those were.
When asked by a reporter if these charges suggested that Melton's crimefighting techniques were outside the boundaries of acceptable law enforcement, he replied: "I think the grand jury made that decision when he was indicted."
More details here as they develop ...
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