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Following a closed conference call on Mayor Frank Melton’s health this morning, Judge Dan Jordan stated that Melton’s federal trial on civil rights charges will begin Feb. 2, as scheduled. “The Court sees no indication that Defendant Melton has been non-compliant,” Jordan said in an order (PDF) released today after the conference call.
Melton’s trial was previously scheduled to start Jan. 5, but on Dec. 31, Jordan granted a one-month continuance after hearing testimony from doctors that the mayor was in end-stage cardiomyopathy. Days later, Melton entered the hospital with fluid in his lungs. He remained there for over a week and later traveled to his wife’s home in Texas to recuperate.
Melton returned to Jackson earlier this week and spent some time working in his office. His attorney, John Reeves, and city spokeswoman Goldia Revies have both said that the mayor appears stronger and healthier.
Jordan also scheduled an evidentiary hearing for Jan. 30 at 10:30 a.m. to hear arguments on three government motions that were filed under seal. The motions seek to exclude findings and allegations of misconduct by witnesses.
Previous Comments
Good article Ward Schaefer. For academic reasons, I would like to know the circumstances that allowed melton the opportunity to leave the state. His lawyer, John Reeves, said earlier that he did not know how or when melton left the state; however, he did say that he was in Texas. melton is under federal indictment and I’m sure there are some guidelines governing the whereabouts of a defendant.
#143043 | Author: justjess | Date: Jan 22 2009
Not disputing Melton’s health, but there’s still ample time for him to have another hospital stay, thereby postponing another trial date. It’s easy to imagine this scenario going on like this for a while, and that raises the question I have: Is there anything in either state or local regulations that would preclude Melton from running for office while under federal indictment? I know he’s said he’s going to run for re-election, but is there some type of deadline by which he has to officially declare his intent, and can he do so if the trial is still an open issue?
#143047 | Author: chaffeur | Date: Jan 23 2009
Melton Trial To Proceed As Normal, Judge Says… That would be the first normal thing to happen in this case.
#143049 | Author: WMartin | Date: Jan 23 2009
I saw melton on TV last night. He really looks bad. He claims to be proud of his loss of over 20 lbs. “This is my 141lb. football weight when I was in High School. I plan to keep it here.” I don’t think that he will be able to stand trial and I don’t think that he will be able to run a campaign. This man’s health picture is bleak.
#143094 | Author: justjess | Date: Jan 27 2009
The Mississippi Free Press produced this story through the MFP Solutions Lab, supported by the Solutions Journalism Network. This series digs into Mississippi’s systemic issues and sheds light on responses to them in other communities. Beyond just reporting on problems, these stories interrogate their causes and inspect potential solutions.