[Editor’s Note] Tearing Down the Wrong Walls

That's probably the most concise and insightful analysis of Melton and his posse that I've read (which is saying a lot, there's little that seems to makes sense when it comes to that topic). Well said.

Seriously, What does FM hope to gain - What is his real intent by inviting certain types of young men to live in his home when it's clear that 95% of the time he is providing no real guidance. He's not making sure they attend school, he's not bringing in tutors to help with homework, he's not making sure they learn about public service (oops, I forgot, FM does do community service, he tears houses down). But really, it appears that he just wants to endear himself to the community at any cost - I'm the "MAN".

Donna, you certainly hit the nail squarely on the head. Frank does seek out the HOPELESS if not helpless black males to "help" because they absolutely have no where else to go. I don't know if you have noticed, but many of his appointments follow the same pattern. For example, Louis Armstrong and Joe Louis are two men that because of their pasts would have found it very difficult to find employment elsewhere. But Frank put them in positions of authority because he knew they would be loyal to him because where else could they go if Frank let them go? Shirlene Anderson somewhat falls into that category as well. While Ms. Anderson had not been convicted of a crime or removed from the bench because of misconduct, she realistically had absolutely no chance of ever becoming the police chief of a metropolitan city like Jackson and making over $110K per year. Frank knew this and so did Anderson. Frank also knew that if he had appointed someone that was qualified for the position, that person would not allow him to go on his "joy rides" in the command center. Frank is not only the pied piper for juveniles but also for vulnerable adults.

Didn't Melton also try to appoint Bracey Coleman to a position?

NO, not Robert Johnson (former police chief); he seems to have outstanding character. I think you mean Robert Williams, who was involved in the scandal that rocked Council before I moved back (the one with Louis Armstrong). He was on Melton's campaign staff.

I remember meeting Robert Williams after he spoke at a church service I attended. He was in the military at the time. He left a good impression on me, which is why I was disappointed in that he got himself caught up in the cable situation.

Good article Donna! If Melton and Reeves have a modicum of sanity left they will take a plea. They will go down on their knees and beg for a deal. It is time for this to be over. Finis. We are all tired. Sick and tired.

It will take years for the truth to dribble out regarding all these boys. Legend will be entwined with facts and few, if any, will care to determine what is false. Someone needs to be taking notes and writing down names. A book should be written. Maybe a movie.

Do the deal Melton. Its the last and best gift you can give the people of Jackson.

wow............

This was indeed a great write up of the situation. I am still in awe that a grown man could house underage teenage boys and never have any guardianship issues or repercussions. Strange. Or maybe I've seen too many made-for-TV movies.

Again, nice column.

M

With one white kid committing "suicide" in melton's living room and a multiplicity of youngsters, under the age of 17 living in his home for many year, the question must be asked, "WHERE WAS DHS?"

melton admits to this kid "killing himself" however, the details of the circumstances have never been told. Who was this kid?

I agree with Donna that all of the people around melton are there for their own personal gain. Either they are trying to hold on for retirement benefits, bond kick-backs or positions that they could never secure in an open market. This is sad.

The story continues to unfold; however, I wonder at the end of it, will anyone really know the REAL frank melton? I continue to ask, "WHO IS THIS STRANGER AMONG US?"

Another question to be answered is what will happen to the young men who may be living with him now if he's convicted and goes to jail. They can't stay at 2 Carter's Grove or else the inmates will really be running the asylum.

By the way, justjess, Melton suddenly walked up to me outside the courtroom and said, "no one died in my house." At first I didn't know what he meant, but then remembered him saying that a kid committed suicide in his house in the JFP interviews. "Why did you tell me he did then," I asked him. He called me up to him in the courtroom and said it again. I said the same thing.

What a tortured man.

And golden eagle, the real question is why the state has not given a damn for all these years that Melton has brought young men, including minors, into his home without being a certified foster parent, among some current and former felons and to babysit each other when he was out joyriding and drinking "every other day," as Wright claimed he did.

This is much bigger than Melton: It's about why a city and state let him run this bizarre halfway house, presumably because the young men there are considered dispensable.

I liked every young man I met there, including the ones who had been in trouble. They need help, and not Melton's if-you're-loyal-to-me kind.

I'm sorry, but this has haunted me for years. Where have the state's authorities been? I was so glad when AG Hood and DA Peterson stepped up. They were both later to the table than I preferred, but when they did they made a difference and slowed him down.

But what about DHS? Barbour? That old codger Col. Taylor (who talked on Kim Wade's show about what buddies he is with Melton).

Buddies, schmuddies.

Melton suddenly walked up to me outside the courtroom and said, "no one died in my house."

Playing semantics here, maybe the kid died in the backyard since it is technically not in the house. Anyhow, that's rather odd that he would say that. But then again, I don't think anything about Melton strikes me as being odd anymore.

Does this mean that melton is being told about things bloggers are saying in the JFP? He said that he doesn't read the paper. Maybe some of his folks are reporting to him.

I have heard the story about the kid committing suicide in melton's house several times, Donna. Is he trying to UN-RING the BELL?

Today, in his closing statement, prosecutor Blumberg says that Michael Taylor is perhaps the most tragic figure in all of this. I couldn't agree with him more, as I said in the column above last week.

And it was even worse today to listen to Reeves assassinate Jennifer Sutton's character, in addition to Welch's and witness Cooper's. He was vicious in a way that is hard to believe will sit well with the jury, especially about Sutton. But who knows?

He opened the door for Blumberg to come back on him acting like poor people don't have the same rights. That was quite the speech about what it means to be American. Can't wait to read the transcript of it.