Jackson Free Press

Word from the courthouse is that the judge may send the case to the jury by noon today. So far, defense attorneys have put no witnesses in front of the jury and may not be able to.

Previous Comments

ID

127669

Comment

So, attorneys, is it an automatic mistrial if the judge won't allow either witness?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-04-25T09:56:27-06:00

ID

127670

Comment

No, it's not. It depends on the facts of why the prosecutors didn't have the names and/or testimony. "Trial judge may insist on explanation for criminal defendant's failure to comply with request to identify his witnesses in advance of trial, and if that explanation reveals that the omission was willful and motivated by desire to obtain tactical advantage that would minimize effectiveness of cross-examination and ability to adduce rebuttal evidence, it would be entirely consistent with purposes of Sixth Amendment confrontation clause simply to exclude the undisclosed witness' testimony. U.S.C.A. Const.Amend. 6."

Author

LawClerk

Date

2007-04-25T10:04:44-06:00

ID

127671

Comment

Lawclerk, thanks for that info. Always good to know there are knowledgeable people to get info from.

Author

kdbstlrfan1

Date

2007-04-25T10:11:52-06:00

ID

127672

Comment

There are tons of cases on this. If he's found guilty, he will appeal. No biggie. But, he's out of office. Period. Done. Finito.

Author

LawClerk

Date

2007-04-25T10:18:41-06:00

ID

127673

Comment

Law Clerk, so upon conviction he would immediately cease being mayor? That makes the clarion ledger online poll, "if convicted, should Frank Melton immediately step down as mayor?", so stupid and confusing.

Author

jd

Date

2007-04-25T10:24:02-06:00

ID

127674

Comment

why is she wearing a crime analysis jacket in court on an 80 degree day?

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-04-25T10:26:02-06:00

ID

127675

Comment

law clerk is on the money

Author

chimneyville

Date

2007-04-25T10:29:13-06:00

ID

127676

Comment

"if convicted, should Frank Melton immediately step down as mayor?", so stupid and confusing. yes, that is stupid because if he is convicted of a felony he will have to step down. that's the rule. doesn't matter what C-L readers think.

Author

andi

Date

2007-04-25T10:31:46-06:00

ID

127677

Comment

Kingfish, I'm in my office. Who is "wearing a crime analysis jacket..."

Author

justjess

Date

2007-04-25T10:33:53-06:00

ID

127678

Comment

witness from JPD records management. they stopped the feed. guess it was proffered testimony.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-04-25T10:35:09-06:00

ID

127679

Comment

doesn't matter what C-L readers think. Quote o' the Day, Andi. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-04-25T10:41:49-06:00

ID

127680

Comment

:) thankyew, thankyew... i'll be here all week!

Author

andi

Date

2007-04-25T10:44:20-06:00

ID

127681

Comment

surprise, JT and Dave discussing Medicaid, not even talking about the Melton trial.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-04-25T10:50:31-06:00

ID

127682

Comment

The MS Constitution is automatic in the case of a Mayor being convicted of a Felony. It is self-executing and nothing more needs be done than a "guilty" verdict of a Felony. He will be removed.

Author

LawClerk

Date

2007-04-25T10:52:10-06:00

ID

127683

Comment

Y'all realize this story has world-wide coverage? You can go google "Mississippi, Melton" and see that they are reading about it in Russia, France, Britain, etc. etc. Mississippi - Believe It!

Author

C.W.

Date

2007-04-25T10:53:34-06:00

ID

127684

Comment

It's on Court TV's website as well: you can find that article here.

Author

Lady Havoc

Date

2007-04-25T11:18:55-06:00

ID

127685

Comment

I can't believe that Officer Bell is so slouched over and surly considering he is an officer. His suit looks good; but, he'd look better in uniform ,and not sitting like a person who doesn't know how to sit up straight.

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-04-25T11:29:57-06:00

ID

127686

Comment

Opps, "My bad." LOL!

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-04-25T11:31:31-06:00

ID

127687

Comment

ADA Alexander is tearing him apart.

Author

LawClerk

Date

2007-04-25T11:31:31-06:00

ID

127688

Comment

Is it just me or did Melton look like he was walking gingerly as they left? Who mentioned the hospital defense?

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-04-25T11:35:48-06:00

ID

127689

Comment

Since we have a 90 minute break, I offer you this: court

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-04-25T11:39:14-06:00

ID

127690

Comment

So was that the last witness?

Author

Ole Miss Alum

Date

2007-04-25T11:39:16-06:00

ID

127691

Comment

i can't believe he said "my bad" either. give me a friggin break. is that enough to get cops off the hook these days? i wonder if those cops in new york that shot up that unarmed guy on his wedding day said the same thing..."my bad, dude..." ridiculous. and i still can't believe how the defense has these guys in suits. hopefully the jury will take yesterday's prosecution witnesses' wearing of their real clothes as a sign that they are telling the truth.

Author

Belhaver

Date

2007-04-25T11:42:30-06:00

ID

127692

Comment

Pike, yeah I noticed that. Hmmmm..... Perhaps he will make a few calls during lunch, and have chest pains of some kind and end up back in the hospital? Maybe that's why they wanted all the women on the jury. So that they would feel sorry for Melton and his "condition." I half expected Melton to collapse when he got up and walked over to the half-door.

Author

LawClerk

Date

2007-04-25T11:45:43-06:00

ID

127693

Comment

Kingfish, you are a genius. What a perfect way to lighten things up. Fred to Lamont: "He's a Mexican." hilarious.

Author

Belhaver

Date

2007-04-25T11:48:53-06:00

ID

127694

Comment

Kingfish, that was one of my favorite Sanford & Son sitcoms. The humor is priceless! "...........get you a white lawyer and get you some time in jail." Is that a voice from the grave speaking to the choir? (LLLLOOOOLLLL)!!!!!!!!

Author

justjess

Date

2007-04-25T12:00:01-06:00

ID

127695

Comment

I was in a meeting. What happened? I missed all of it.

Author

Ray Carter

Date

2007-04-25T12:46:12-06:00