Jackson Free Press

DA Smith Wins on One Count, But Passes on 'Whistleblower' Bad Check Claims

The trial against Downtown Jackson Partners President Ben Allen wound up on Feb. 7, even as the woman who landed him there remained conspicuously absent from the courtroom.

Why Peterson Needs to Stay DA

I didn't know Faye Peterson from Eve when she ran for re-election four years ago. I knew much was being made about the criminal "backlog" (that she inherited). I knew …

Clarion-Ledger Makes Absurd Error About ‘Drunk' Motion

In their belated story today about the motion filed accusing Melton being drunk the night of the Ridgeway rampage—which we reported about Friday—The Clarion-Ledger states that the motion "became public" …

Moore Alleges DA ‘Misconduct'

The attorney for Sharrod Moore, who is awaiting his Sept. 15 trial for the Nov. 14, 1995, murder of Jackson police officer Robert J. Washington, is accusing Hinds County District …

Reforming Hinds Criminal System Takes Center Stage in DA Race

The national trend of reforming the criminal-justice system, even from inside prosecutors' offices, emerged dramatically in Hinds County during the current campaigns for the next district attorney, who will be …

State Farm Suit Against AG Hood Dismissed

As Attorney General Jim Hood predicted yesterday, The Sun Herald is reporting that a State Farm lawsuit against him has been dismissed, allowing the civil investigation of State Farm's actions …

DA Re-Indicts; Defense Alleges Bad Cop Work

This is an updated version of a story originally published July 4, 2008.

Transcript: JFP Interview with DA Candidate Michele Purvis

Interview by Adam Lynch

Mt. Olive, and I'm not a Jackson resident. I live in Clinton. I've lived in Clinton about three years.

JUST IN: Wilson Pleads Guilty to Murder in Teen Death

More details as they develop ...

Toice Wilson today pled guilty to murder in Hinds County Circuit Court after the prosecution refused his request yesterday to plead guilty to manslaughter in the beating death of Tawana …

DA Files: ‘Too Sweet’ Reverend, Old Faces Back in News

Names of men who were involved in the late and controversial Mayor Frank Melton's universe keep popping up in the convoluted accusations encircling Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith.

Archive: Investigations Involving R.J. Washington and Frank Melton

Following are links to Donna Ladd's 2008 investigative series on the murder of R.J. Washington, as well as stories about the "mysteries of Frank Melton." A list of PDFs to …

AP: Feds Seize $425,000 from Ed Peters

AP is reporting:

Federal authorities have seized $425,000 from a former district attorney linked to the most sweeping judicial bribery investigation in Mississippi in years. While no formal charges have been made public …

UPDATED: ‘Batman' and Gang Acquitted

Alleged Wood Street Players gang members Albert "Batman" Donelson, Terrell Donelson and James Benton were acquitted on charges that Albert Donelson ordered the murder of Aaron Crockett on May 10, …

Does this Ledger Headline Fit the Story?

A reader just sent me this Clarion-Ledger link and headline. Consider whether y'all think the headline portrays what's in the story: "Man charged in slaying may be released if DA …

Learn to Be Inspired

We live in a world where kids who can't sit still in class are labeled troublemakers or low-performers or even ADD. But maybe they're just kinesthetic learners: that is, they …

‘Built This City' Tops Worst Song List

AP reports: "Starship may have built this city on rock and roll, but Blender magazine is tearing it down, naming the band's 'We Built This City' as the worst song …

UPDATED: Judge Sets DA's New Trial for June 12 after Mistrial, Hood Slams Dishonesty of Juror

The jury in the State of Mississippi case against Hinds District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith only deliberated about three hours before the judge declared a mistrial at about 4 p.m. …

Lumumba Files Finance Address Supplement, GOP Nominee Wells Unaware of Need to File

The Democratic nominee for Jackson mayor has filed a supplement listing missing campaign-donor addresses, while the GOP nominee says he didn't know he had to disclose the information.

Former FBI Agent Eyes AG Post

The GOP candidate for attorney general talked to the Jackson Free Press in his offices in Ridgeland. This is the full transcript of the interview.

UPDATED: Lumumba Files Campaign Report, Third Behind Horhn, Graham in Donations

On a major campaign filing date, Mississippi Sen. John Horhn leads, so far, in donations with upwards of $200,000 in donations to date, although he has spent much of it.