Jackson Free Press

Bodyguard Gives Damaging Evidence Against Melton, Recio

On Feb. 10, jurors in the federal civil rights trial of Mayor Frank Melton heard from the government's star witness, former mayoral bodyguard Marcus Wright. Wright, who pled guilty to …

Wright: Recio Falsified Documents, Melton ‘Clearly Under the Influence'

'On the Road Again' with Melton and his Bodyguards

Taylor Testimony Creates Firestorm, Brings In Melton Drunkenness

Previous JFP coverage of Michael Taylor

Melton Trial: Jordan Rules to Allow Alcohol Testimony; Taylor Takes the Stand

In a major move, Judge Dan Jordan ruled this morning to allow testimony of Mayor Frank Melton's alleged alcohol consumption the night of the Ridgeway duplex destruction, as well as …

City to Receive $14 Million in HUD Funds

Mayor Frank Melton told reporters today to look forward to about $11 million in federal funds coming to the city for the purchase and repair of foreclosed homes to put …

Melton Trial: Prosecutors Call Duplex Owner Jennifer Sutton as Witness

The U.S. government called Ridgeway Street duplex owner Jennifer Sutton as their second witness in the federal civil-rights trial of Jackson Mayor Frank Melton today. Crying as she looked a …

Defense Attorneys Try to Block AG's Letter From Melton Trial

Shortly after Mississippi Attorney General Jim hood took the stand this morning during Mayor Frank Melton's federal civil-rights trial, defense attorneys for Melton and Recio moved to block a May …

Melton Trial Opening Statements Start Today

The federal civil-rights trial of Mayor Frank Melton and former mayoral bodyguard Michael Recio began this morning with opening statements followed by witness testimony. Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood was …

UPDATED: Judge Finalizes Jury For Melton Trial

After five grueling days of questioning potential jurors, Judge Dan Jordan seated 12 jurors and 3 alternates for the federal civil-rights trial of Jackson Mayor Frank Melton and his former …

Smoking On the Way Out

See: Jackson Smoking Ordinance, Defined on Jackpedia

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.

Union Leader Brenda Scott Announces Mayoral Run

Brenda Scott, President of the Mississippi Alliance of State Employees, threw her hat in the ring for mayor of Jackson on Monday. Speaking to Jackson Free Press yesterday, she promised …

Defense Cannot Use Prostitute Allegation Against Bodyguard

See JFP Melton Blog/Archive here.

Federal District Judge Dan Jordan ruled this morning that defense attorneys for Mayor Frank Melton and former bodyguard Michael Recio cannot use allegations of sexual misconduct by former bodyguard Marcus …

Jury Selection Begins in Melton-Recio Trial

Melton archive/blog.

The thrice-delayed federal civil rights trial of Mayor Frank Melton and bodyguard Michael Recio kicked off Monday in the federal courthouse in downtown Jackson for the destruction of a private …

Harvey's Running For Mayor, Again

Former Jackson mayor Harvey Johnson announced his candidacy for mayor on Saturday. Speaking in front of the Jackson Convention Complex, Johnson pointed to achievements from his two mayoral terms.

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 …

Did Mayor Use Teen Funeral Remarks to Taint Jury Pool?

Watch WAPT report here/.

WAPT is reporting that Mayor Frank Melton ditched the proclamation he was supposed to read in deceased teen Chris Ulmer's honor; instead, he defended himself against the federal civil rights …

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 …

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.

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 …