Jackblog - ladd
Ledger Does Melton-Denying-Allegations Story
It seems The Clarion-Ledger is suddenly going somewhere it hasn't dared to go in over 20 years in its story today about the R.J. Washington case. The bizarre thing is that there are no new allegations here, although perhaps new to them. I recall an editor over there belittling our stories back during the campaign (stories that Melton himself tipped us to, starting with this one) about the old criminal allegations against Melton (and his denials), saying that they were bogus. The question is, if the Ledger believes that, why are they running this story today—which has no evidence, other than a deposition and some history of the criminals who have been living in his home? It's presented like a big investigative package, but there isn't anything there but the deposition, some known background on the Sharrod Moore case and some quick rehash of stuff we've reported for years. Odd, but very Ledger.
Read the JFP Melton blog/archive here.
posted by ladd on 05/08/08 at 08:39 AM. [printer-friendly version]
COMMENTS
Also, per usual, the Ledger doesn't give credit where it's due, but WAPT reported about this deposition weeks ago. I'm sure that's how they knew it was out there.
posted by ladd on 05/08/08 at 09:09 AM
posted by Ironghost on 05/08/08 at 11:09 AM
What's funny is that Frank Melton claims he doesn't know Sharrod Moore and wouldn't know who he was if he walked in the room, but investigators, according to Robert Johnson, were aware that Melton and Moore knew each other.
As for the Ledger's coverage, didn't they have a different editor at the time when Melton was running? Perhaps that could explain their Johnny-come-lately stance on Melton?
posted by golden eagle on 05/08/08 at 12:02 PM
Now he's calling for a federal probe to investigate who's behind the allegations against him.
posted by golden eagle on 05/08/08 at 12:12 PM
posted by Walt on 05/08/08 at 12:22 PM
posted by NewJackson on 05/08/08 at 12:40 PM
No, they didn't have a different editor then -- Ronnie, Grace, Don, Sid, David.
They were wound up in that lawsuit with him, though, which they didn't tell readers about. And knew he was lying under oath about leaking that document to them. They are extreme johnny-come-latelies on the Melton sage, and I doubt they understand to what extent.
Otherwise, I'm not saying a word.
posted by ladd on 05/08/08 at 12:43 PM
Walt, I have a question. Would it be a federal issue if someone is falsely accusing Melton of something? Wouldn't the recourse be civil? Why the letter to the feds?
Reminds me of the threat to bring in the high-priced Texas lawyer in years past when Jimmy Wilson was trying to get the feds to investigate the allegations about the Juvenile Detention Center and the murders of the two young men. That threat sure seemed to shut the Ledger up. For years, in fact.
OK, enough from me. I have work to do. And anything additional I have to say on this should be in a different form.
posted by ladd on 05/08/08 at 12:46 PM
NewJack Frank knows of everybody. He was a mentor of giant proportions. I've represented some defendants he knew and counseled at some point. I'm still looking for one of his guys that his counseling saved. They must be hiding. Surely they exist.
Knowing of is not knowing intimately or the equivalent being involved in some unsavory way. Frank lied because that what he does, and he's good at it. In other words, he lies because someone asks him a question.
I need to go and read the ledger story before saying more.
posted by Walt on 05/08/08 at 12:52 PM
I don't see how this is a federal issue or question. I imagine he's asking for their help to avoid any claims that JPD or HCSD showed favortism or hide information on his behalf. Frank is a smart man.
posted by Walt on 05/08/08 at 12:56 PM
It'd be a civil suit, if my vauge recollections are right. But then Frank would have to get on the stand, and that'd be hysterical to see someone trust Frankie-Boy to actually tell the truth.
posted by Ironghost on 05/08/08 at 01:15 PM
posted by NewJackson on 05/08/08 at 01:32 PM
What closeness? I'd be the first one he has locked up or he orders his boys to do a smackdown on. He and I aren't friend. He and his entourage probably think I'm one of his biggest critics or detractors. I will spend a week at Depaul Law School at the end of the month with one of his old lawyers. Hopefully, he won't be angry at me for criticizing Frank.
posted by Walt on 05/08/08 at 02:21 PM
posted by Scott Albert Johnson on 05/08/08 at 09:10 PM
Notice that now Melton is calling for the federal authorities to investigate? Isn't that always what he does? I think it's just to throw off suspicion. The assumption is that if he's calling for them to investigate, he doesn't have anything to hide. So transparent!
posted by honey2me on 05/09/08 at 08:00 AM
Let's see: The big Melton murder implication story comes out on the front page of the CL on Thursday, May 8, but according to the letter http://www.clarionledger.com/assets/pdf/D010799258.PDF Melton sent to authorities requesting a federal investigation is dated April 8, 2008. As usual, something just doesn't add up. Who informed Melton that he was implicated in the murder in the first place, and isn't the DA ethically bound to keep such evidence in a case sealed? Something stinks in Jackson's DA office!!!
posted by blu_n_a_redstate on 05/09/08 at 03:55 PM
Walt: "Frank lied because that what he does, and he's good at it. In other words, he lies because someone asks him a question."
Jeff: "MELTON'S CHICKENSSSS....ARE COMING HOME...TO ROOST!"
Scott: "I'm just curious if the recording studio has opened yet. :)"
Y'all are killing me! ROTFL!
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