Former Bodyguard Wright Gets Probation

Kenya Hudson

Former Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright received a sentence of one year's probation this morning.

by Ward Schaefer
September 9, 2009

A federal judge has sentenced former Jackson police officer Marcus Wright to one year of probation for his role in the 2006 warrantless destruction of a private home on Ridgeway Street. The incident attracted controversy as an example of the vigilante approach to crime-fighting favored by former Mayor Frank Melton.

In 2007, Wright and Melton, along with another former police officer, Michael Recio, beat state charges for the incident, which defense attorneys characterized as a drug raid. Police never found drugs at the Ridgeway house, though, and the three were indicted on federal civil-rights charges in June 2008. In October 2008, Wright pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor conspiracy and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. He testified against Melton and Recio during their first federal trial, which ended with a hung jury on Feb. 24, 2009.

Wright faced a maximum sentence of one year's imprisonment for the misdemeanor, but at a hearing this morning, prosecutor Mark Blumberg asked for leniency, "based on (Wright's) substantial assistance to the government during its investigation." In a rare move, Blumberg recommended the probation sentence, noting the personal cost that Wright endured by testifying against his former colleague and employer.

"It required him to testify against people he viewed almost like family," Blumberg said. "This was, for him, an enormous emotional hurdle that he did in service of bringing to light the truth."

Magistrate Judge Linda Anderson accepted the government's recommendation. Wright's career in law enforcement was "a very commendable climb that ended with a very regrettable fall," Anderson said.

The sentence also prohibits Wright from seeking a job in law enforcement for one year and requires him to pay a $500 fine and some amount of restitution to duplex tenant Evans Welch. Wright's attorney, John Colette, has five days to decide on a restitution amount with prosecutors, based on Welch's property that was damaged during the raid.

"I'm glad it's over with," Wright told reporters after the hearing. Asked if he would seek law-enforcement employment after his probation, Wright said, "That's my passion."

"I've got a year to think about it," he added.

Wright was prepared to testify in a re-trial for Recio and Melton when Melton died May 7 after an apparent heart attack. On May 15, Recio pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor aiding and abetting. His sentencing is set for Thursday morning.

posted by Brian C Johnson on 09/09/09 at 01:57 PM