Christopher Walker Charged Again

by Adam Lynch
April 18, 2007

Christopher “Smiley” Walker, once Mayor Frank Melton’s star witness against Albert “Batman” Donelson, pleaded not guilty to possession of contraband in prison last Monday, and will stay with his mother Lolethia Donelson if he is released from jail.

Walker was already serving a prison sentence for a 2004 charge of felony possession of a firearm when officials caught Walker with a small amount of marijuana on Dec. 2, 2006, while incarcerated, FBI Special Agent Kathleen Provine said in court. The charge of possession of contraband in prison is a misdemeanor, but it could mean a few extra months of incarceration for Walker.

U.S. District Court Judge James Sumner set Walker’s bond for $80,000 on Tuesday. Walker had just finished serving time for the felony firearm possession before his Monday arraignment.

Lolethia Donelson appeared before Sumner on Tuesday as a character witness for Walker, testifying that Walker had a job with Labor Finders temp agency, and that he would be staying at her home in Jackson.

Walker’s bond conditions require regular drug testing and could be revoked if he fails. He also cannot be in possession of a firearm and must commit no misdemeanor offenses while out on bond.

Walker has a history of drug problems, however. Defense attorney Kathy Nester said Walker was busted in 2000 for possession of cocaine, without intent to distribute. That charge was his first offense, and would have been non-adjudicated had Walker not later failed a drug test. Walker was arrested May 8, 2006, for failing drug tests that were required by his probation.

Walker was Melton’s star witness in a murder trial against “Batman” Donelson last year, but District Attorney Faye Peterson would not put Walker on the stand because he perjured himself before the grand jury. Defense lawyers filed affidavits alleging that Melton may have corrupted Walker’s testimony by providing him with an apartment in Ridgeland, a “Frank E. Melton” credit card and a car. Donelson was found not guilty.

After Peterson refused to put Walker on the stand, Melton held a press conference on May 2, 2006, with Walker at his side. “Mrs. Peterson is trying to point the finger at me because of her incompetence,” Melton said. He also said she might be guilty of “possible corruption. … We’re investigating that right now.”

At that press conference, Walker launched into an expletive-filled tirade against Peterson, saying, “She’s crooked. She was f---ing Jam.” Walker was referring to murdered bail bondsman Jimmy “Jam” Johnson, who Melton says was in thick with the Wood Street Players. Melton has hinted at links between Johnson and Peterson, which have never been substantiated.

The following day, Melton called JFP Editor-in-chief Donna Ladd, saying, “Well, we put it all out there, didn’t we?” He did not apologize for Walker’s actions or question the veracity of his statements.

On May 8, 2006, less than a week after the press conference, U.S. Marshals arrested Walker for failing drug tests.

In an interview with the JFP published May 10, Peterson strongly objected to Walker’s language and Melton’s acquiescence to it. “I am, first and foremost, a Christian woman,” she said. “... I am a divorced mother with two children. My ex-husband is a successful attorney, and I’ve only dated successful men. I have a very successful Christian man in my life right now. So for someone to talk up under a lady’s dress tail is not only morally wrong, but for (Melton) to sit there and condone that says a lot about his lack of character, his lack of morals and a lack of decency.

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