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The trial of Mayor Frank Melton is set to begin Wednesday. Credit: Pat Butler/file photo

[Verbatim from city] Mayor Frank E. Melton was admitted to the hospital after a routine checkup revealed that minor surgery was needed to correct a complication. The Mayor is expected to remain out of the office for the remainder of the week to recuperate.

Previous Comments

Hope he gets well.

#140852 | Author: golden eagle | Date: Nov 19 2008

Too much on him. I hope he gets well too soon; and furthermore does the right thing by resigning. But again, he told me, Texans don’t lay down. They either fall down or get knocked down, and if they fall down or get knocked down, they get up.

#140855 | Author: Walt | Date: Nov 19 2008

melton was back on the job several days after major heart surgery. He was also walking and swimming, according to his self-report and film footage from WLBT. If this procedure is so “minor,” why does he need so much time to “recuperate”? Just asking.

#140858 | Author: justjess | Date: Nov 19 2008

Melton, IMO, is more concerned about protecting his retirement benefits by delaying this trial until his term os over. If he completes his four years, he will recieve half of his salary for the rest of his life even if he is found guilty. I predict even more health related issues to stretch this out until past May.

#140870 | Author: lance | Date: Nov 19 2008

I wish nothing bad to anyone that is sick but alot of Melton’s illnesses are a results of the way he treated people. Melton, is now going through the same problems he has put other people through!!! If Melton wants to heal then he needs to tell the truth and correct the wrongs he has done and the wrongs he allowed to be done to the people that once supported to him. Melton will be judge on earth and also by God!!! Melton it’s time to repent and ask for forgiveness. You already got one foot in the grave and your other foot in route to jail. It’s time to clear the air!!!!! Please get well in time for your Court day!!

#140874 | Author: Hot Sauce | Date: Nov 19 2008

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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.

Founding Editor Donna Ladd is a writer, journalist and editor from Philadelphia, Miss., a graduate of Mississippi State University and later the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, where she was an alumni award recipient in 2021. She writes about racism/whiteness, poverty, gender, violence, journalism and the criminal justice system. She contributes long-form features and essays to The Guardian when she has time, and was the co-founder and editor-in-chief of the Jackson Free Press. She co-founded the statewide nonprofit Mississippi Free Press with Kimberly Griffin in March 2020, and the Mississippi Business Journal named her one of the state's top CEOs in 2024. Read more at donnaladd.com, follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @donnerkay and email her at donna@mississippifreepress.org.