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This story originally appeared in the Jackson Free Press. It was added to the Mississippi Free Press website in 2025.
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The jury in the first Frank Melton trial has been chosen—the 12 main jurors included six African Amerians, one Hispanic and five whites. Four are men. There are two alternates, both white, one man and one woman. All 14 will be sequestered throughout the trial, which is expected to last about three days.

Previous Comments

I hope they get to eat pretty good while sequestered?

#124402 | Author: pikersam | Date: Nov 15 2006

Stampsburgers for EVERYBODY! 🙂

#124403 | Author: Ironghost | Date: Nov 15 2006

Uh-oh… my alternate personality is having an out of body experience. I’d better corner it and fit it back in. (Two computers, Two JFP fans… and one login used. OOPS!) The REAL IG

#124404 | Author: Ironghost | Date: Nov 15 2006

OOPS! The Stampsburgers comment was mine. Sorry, honey! The Married to the Real IG

#124405 | Author: Lady Havoc | Date: Nov 15 2006

Stamps, Edison, Miller’s, Ms. Collin’s, The Elite…any of these would work for me. I really miss working downtown! I work in Ridgeland now…:-( I really miss working downtown…did I say that already? 🙂

#124406 | Author: Big Tee | Date: Nov 15 2006

Oh yeah, how could I forget Keifers!!!!

#124407 | Author: Big Tee | Date: Nov 15 2006

Wow…Two Sister and the White house too!

#124408 | Author: Big Tee | Date: Nov 15 2006

Aw heck, I’m ready to eat now!

#124409 | Author: Big Tee | Date: Nov 15 2006

If Frank is going to plead I wish he would go ahead and do it. Otherwise, I’m ready to see some action. At first I thought the judge, jurors or lawyers were late. Now I doubt this is the case. LET’S GET IT ON!

#124410 | Author: Ray Carter | Date: Nov 15 2006

What reasons would they be meeting behind closed doors with a court reporter Ray?

#124411 | Author: pikersam | Date: Nov 15 2006

Could be for many reasons such as motions in limine, suppression issues, stipulations, et al. I hope they were discussing a plea deal that they wanted on record.

#124412 | Author: Ray Carter | Date: Nov 15 2006

Reminds me of the old t.v. show “Let’s Make A Deal…” His moron holdout enablers must be getting drunk mighty early today.

#124413 | Author: Cliff Cargill | Date: Nov 15 2006

They just entered the court-room…

#124414 | Author: Cliff Cargill | Date: Nov 15 2006

I think Melton should come out dressed like Quincy Jones a la “Smackwater Jack”!

#124415 | Author: pikersam | Date: Nov 15 2006

Plea Deal!

#124416 | Author: Cliff Cargill | Date: Nov 15 2006

yep…

#124417 | Author: pikersam | Date: Nov 15 2006

MFP Solutions Lab logo

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.

Mississippi native Donna Ladd and partner Todd Stauffer founded the Jackson Free Press in 2002 in the capital city. The heavily awarded local newspaper did many investigations heralded across the state and nation and served as a paper of record due to its diversity, inclusion, in-depth reporting and deep connection to readers and dedication to narrative change in and about Mississippi. In 2022, the nonprofit Mississippi Free Press, founded by Ladd and JFP Associate Publisher Kimberly Griffin in 2020, purchased the journalism assets and archives of the Jackson Free Press. A Google grant through AAN Publishers enabled Newspack's integration of the JFP archives into the Mississippi Free Press website to become part of a more searchable archive of recent Mississippi history and essential journalism.