Jackson Free Press

UPDATED: In Allen Trial, DA Argues that DJP Funds Are Public

The trial of Downtown Jackson Partners President Ben Allen began this morning with opening statements and testimony from an attorney who formerly worked with the state auditor's office asserting the …

Bomp, Bomp: Law & Order and the Race for Hinds County District Attorney

It's hard to tell whether Robert Shuler Smith, the top prosecutor in Hinds County, is confident he'll coast to a third term as district attorney—or if he's scared out of …

Green Demands Melton Documentation

Dennis Grant, Probation Services Company Offender Services Coordinator said in a Jan. 29 letter (PDF, 100KB) to Judge Tomie Green that he has not received proof of Melton's recent surgery …

The JFP's Coverage of the Hinds DA Race - VOTE TODAY

Face-Off: Faye Peterson v. Robert Smith

Audio of Melton and Smith's Remarks

"Robert, you're like a little brother to me. I love you and I'll always love you, and I had to distance myself from your campaign ...."

Oberhousen: Hinds County Needs Fresh Leaders

Brad Oberhousen, Democratic candidate for Mississippi House of Representatives in Hinds County's District 73, is the kind of guy you could meet and easily have a three-hour conversation with. He …

Bluntson Questions DA Over Bail Bonds

City Council President Frank Bluntson was certainly not alone in his frustration at last week's council meeting. Venting about the Dec. 11 arrest of a 16-year-old suspect in connection with …

DA Candidate Michele Purvis on Radio JFP Friday

DA candidate Michele Purvis will be the guest on Radio JFP on WLEZ (103.7 FM) Friday at noon. You can also listen to the stream here.

Analysis: Passion Ruled In Melton Trial

Photos by Jaro Vacek

On April 26, a Hinds County jury acquitted Mayor Frank Melton and Dets. Michael Recio and Marcus Wright of all 11 charges they collectively faced for demolishing a duplex at …

Ben Allen’s Defense Hangs on DJP’s Public/Private Status

Whether Downtown Jackson Partners is public or private, governmental or nonprofit, is a pivotal issue in the case against indicted DJP President Ben Allen.

STIGGERS: Head Start Ho' Howse

Support for Ken Stiggers' "The Haley Barbour Head Start Ho' Howse" is brought to you courtesy of The Dan Quail Spellin' Bea (Sowwy, that's BEE) Literacy Tour; Rudyard Kipling White …

FBI Arrests 'Rogue Officers'

The FBI arrested four men, including two former metro police officers and one acting Hinds County Sheriff's deputy, Oct. 2 on charges of conspiracy to commit an offense against the …

[Artist to Watch] Noo Noo: Doing it All

When talking about the big names in rap today, you'll hear names like Jay-Z, T.I. or Lil' Wayne. Rap is a male-dominated genre, and it isn't often that ladies get …

Judge Discrimination Must Stop

Jackson attorney Dennis Sweet is calling attention to a recent change in Hinds County Circuit Court that should alarm every county resident, regardless of race. Hinds County Chief Judge Swan …

[Gospel] Converging For A Blessing

Dealing with the aftermath of natural disasters can be overwhelming. The chilling effect can linger for months, maybe even years. It is for those reasons that some of Mississippi's top …

Witness Says Video Key to Prosecutor's Case Wasn't Altered

A witness Wednesday refuted claims that someone tampered with a video recording key to a criminal case against the prosecutor in Mississippi's largest county.

[Hutchinson] Leaders Failed Jena Six Defendant

One very conspicuous person missing from the cast of thousands in Jena was Mychal Bell. The 17-year-old, more than any other of the Jena Six teens, fueled the furor over …

Purvis: ‘Melton Did Not Put Me in the Race'

Jackson 2000 held a district attorney candidate forum today at noon at Schimmel's. The Jackson Free Press moderated, asking questions provided by audience members. We will have a full report …

Man Indicted for 1st-degree Murder of Teen in September, Arrested Dec. 29

The Hinds County Sheriff’s Department arrested Wayne Mitchell Parish of Crystal Springs on Dec. 29 for the alleged murder of 17-year-old Charles McDonald in the parking lot of Performance Oil …

Legal Bullies?

February 28, 2007 On Feb. 15, Mayor Frank Melton told WJTV that he was going to sue WAPT because they reported that he had violated his probation by conducting a …