Jackson Free Press

DA Needs to Get Organized

A growing source of frustration around the Hinds County Courthouse is that the office of Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith is handling case pleadings and motions in a sloppy …

Day of Reckoning

The thrice-delayed federal civil-rights trial of Mayor Frank Melton and bodyguard Michael Recio began this week, ending a long process of pre-trial maneuvering.

The Sour Smell of Corruption

Of all the interesting odors hovering in the wake of the exiting Bush administration, the most pervasive smell could prove to be the sickly scent of corruption. The reek sank …

Judge Sets Rules For 'Inflammatory' Melton Trial Evidence

A federal judge heard arguments Friday on admitting evidence in the civil rights trial of Mayor Frank Melton and his former police bodyguard, Michael Recio. Most of the five-hour hearing …

Melton Police Witnesses To Appear In Court

Jackson police officers are among those scheduled to appear in court this morning at an evidentiary hearing for the federal trial of Mayor Frank Melton and his former bodyguard Michael …

JATRAN Will Live, but It Should Thrive

I was relieved (and surprised) that our City Council chose not to make any cuts to the city's bus system this year. Yes, JATRAN can be a mess, but the …

Murrah Junior Dies in Crash

A few minutes after 3 p.m., Friday, Jan. 23, 16-year-old Murrah High School junior LeChristopher "Chris" Ulmer was returning to school with three of his basketball teammates for a game. …

Melton to Trial This Time?

Barring any last-minute complications, Mayor Frank Melton's much-delayed federal civil-rights trial will begin with jury selection on Feb. 2.

Under the Radar: From Darwin to Sex Ed

A flurry of new bills hit House and Senate committees this month, bills that get little attention with the media focusing on cigarette tax bills and the Legislature's knot-twisting to …

The 2009 JFP Interview With John Horhn

John Horhn, 53, recently reclaimed his District 26 Senate for a fifth term, but now he wants to be mayor of Jackson. A self-proclaimed "lifelong resident of Jackson," and a …

Gulfport Mayor Indicted On Katrina Fraud

Gulfport Mayor Brent Warr and his wife, Laura Jean Warr, were indicted today on charges of fraud stemming from false claims the couple filed after Hurricane Katrina.

Melton Trial To Proceed As Normal, Judge Says

See JFP's full Melton Blog/Archive here.

Hinds County DA Alleges Racism in Courts

Even as Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith is alleging racism in the Hinds County Justice system, his African American predecessor says that it was her job to find a …

Sumdance

Three films, one day. That's Sumdance (especially when waitlists are involved)

What to say about Spooner, except that it's perfect? Spooner is the off-beat romantic comedy Garden State was trying to be (no offense, Zach Braff), and it couldn't be more …

DA Alleges Racism; Former DA Weighs In

Even as Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith is alleging racism in the Hinds County Justice system, his African American predecessor says that it was her job to find a …

Man Arraigned in Jackson for Online Obama Threats

Steven Joseph Christopher of Wisconsin was arraigned today in federal court in Jackson for making threats against President-elect Barack Obama on the Internet chat forum on Jan. 11 and 15. …

House Proposes Voter ID, Early Voting Bill; Hosemann Objects

Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, a vehement voter ID proponent, opposes the Mississippi House of Representatives' attempt to codify voter ID Thursday saying the ID requirements are "unmanageable." He also …

Presley: Entergy Reversal a ‘Seismic Turnaround'

Attorney General Jim Hood and Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley hammered Entergy Corp. with one of its own admissions last week, arguing that an Entergy correction to Mississippi Public Service …

Gannett Corp. in Crisis; Clarion-Ledger Staffers Must Take Week Off

Clarion-Ledger staffers are part of an immediate corporate-wide "furlough" program ordered by the home office in order to "preserve operations," reports the Gannett Blog. A memo from Gannett CEO Craig …

Barbour Furloughs Rapist, Then Retracts

Leslie Bowlin lay in wait for his young victim, watching her roommates leave their shared apartment in the Canterbury Townhouses in Starkville one by one for the Christmas break. When …