Jackson Free Press

More Judicial Horseplay?

Imprisoned attorney Paul Minor is arguing in Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal filings that presiding U.S. Southern District Court Judge Henry Wingate showed bias against the defense in his 2007 …

Batman and Melton Return

A showdown of sorts between District Attorney Faye Peterson and Mayor Frank Melton occurred on Monday in Circuit Court Judge Bobby DeLaughter's courtroom, during motions in the trial of alleged …

DNA Says 'Not Guilty' 16 Years Later

Arthur Johnson may be returning home in a matter of days, 16 years after his arrest for a rape he did not commit. On Friday, Jan. 4, the Mississippi Supreme …

Trump Moves to Cancel Deals in Azerbaijan, Georgia

The Trump Organization has canceled a licensing deal for a hotel in Azerbaijan and is taking steps to do the same for a project in neighboring Georgia, part of recent …

10 Local Stories of the Week

There's never a slow news week in Jackson, Miss., and last week was no exception. Here are the local stories JFP reporters brought you in case you missed them.

Indictment: Downtown Jackson Leader Stole and Misused Money

An indictment says the head of a downtown Jackson development group misused money in an investigation that has also led to two high-ranking employees of the Mississippi Audit Department being …

Activists Want More Transparency in Counterterrorism Efforts

Muslim groups and civil rights activists across the nation Thursday called for greater transparency in a program by President Barack Obama's administration that's aimed at countering homegrown terrorism.

Ledger: DeLaughter E-mailed Proposed Order to Peters

Just in from Jerry Mitchell at The Clarion-Ledger; unclear who "Mills" is supposed to be, though:

Family Files Wrongful Death Suit Against Teens

Family members of the late James Anderson decided not to speak this morning as previously planned at a press conference to announce a wrongful death lawsuit they have filed against …

Ju Ju Swag Shawty

Every rapper wants fans to know how skilled he is, but few can back it up as confidently as Ju Ju Swag Shawty of Vicksburg.

DA Faye Peterson on Radio JFP Friday at Noon

District Attorney Faye Peterson is the guest this Friday, July 27, at noon on Radio JFP on WLEZ. Listen at 103.7 FM, or hear the stream live at http://www.wlezfm.com. The …

Melton: After Guilty Pleas, What's Next?

Now that Mayor Frank Melton has pled guilty to gun charges, he must gird his loins for the upcoming trials against him and his two city-financed bodyguards regarding their alleged …

McMillin Endorses DA, Rumors Fly

Hinds County Sheriff Malcolm McMillin endorsed Hinds County District Attorney Faye Peterson over Democratic challenger Robert Smith on Tuesday. McMillin announced his endorsement to the Jackson Free Press, saying he …

Response to State of the State Address

Jail: My Experience

Last week I was arrested for a charge I am legally not old enough to commit. I was transfered to the downtown jail in a car that the officer was …

Day 3: No to ‘Confidential Informant'; Only Pot Found

Reporting by Brian Johnson

This morning, without the jury present, attorneys for the Melton defense team called a "confidential informant," who used the name Russell Smith (not his real name). Under direct examination, he …

City Crime Rankings: ‘Invalid, Damaging and Irresponsible'

We've been warning Jackson for years about the "dangerous" city rankings scam designed to sell books. Leaders in most cities across American cringe and complain when the CQ Press (formerly …

Allen Trial: Defense Rests After Making Case DJP Doesn’t Collect 'Taxes’

Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith spent the morning attempting to attack several aspects of Downtown Jackson Partners attorney Robert Gibbs, during the fifth day of testimony in the …

Melton to File Another Lawsuit ... Against Donelson?

Mayor Frank Melton seems to be in a litigious mood this week. First, he filed a lawsuit against The Clarion-Ledger that many believe is frivolous (reported first by the JFP). …

Puppets on Parade

"Dum dum da dum dum dum," the strings sing in my mind as I stroll down a sunny sidewalk on Lamar Street to speak with Mississippi Symphony Orchestra Executive Director …