On tomorrow’s agenda for the Jackson City Council is the question of whether to pay former Mayor Frank Melton’s legal fees and those of his two bodyguards. City Attorney Pieter Teeuwissen and Councilman Kenneth Stokes are bringing the question to the council Tuesday, according to WAPT.
Mississippi indicted and tried Melton and his bodyguards, Michael Recio and Marcus Wright, for their roles in the 2006 destruction of a Ridgeway Street duplex in 2007. A jury found all three not guilty after that trial, and apparently, it is those fees that the Council will debate paying. Recio and Wright pleaded guilty to federal charges, however; Wright prior to a federal trial that ended with a hung jury in February, and Recio following Melton’s death in May.
Melton’s legal fees for the state trial could exceed $20,000 reports WAPT, however Councilman Frank Bluntson is arguing that the city should pick up the fees for all three men because a state jury acquitted them.
“I hope this will lay this to rest. I’m tired of hearing about fees and things like this,” Bluntson told WAPT.
Previous Comments
How does the city ordinarily handle cases where a city employee is unsuccessfully prosecuted for something done under the auspices of his or her office? If they usually foot the bill (and that would be my guess), then I would have to agree with Bluntson as a matter of policy.
#153717 | Author: Tom Head | Date: Nov 30 2009
I only wish that Councilman Bluntson had gotten “…tired of hearing about fees and things like this..” during frank’s Administration. I only wish that he had spoken up and out against the many acts of foolishness and criminality. I am just as outraged about the cost possibly being passed on to tax payers. Does anyone know who paid Dale Danks for representing melton or if he has been paid.
#153720 | Author: justjess | Date: Nov 30 2009
You think Jackson will ever recover from the lingering effects of Frank Melton?
#153741 | Author: Ironghost | Date: Nov 30 2009
I really can’t even believe this is such a big issue for the council? Am I missing something? Why is this even being considered? Why would we have to pay for Frank Melton’s legal fees? It’s the most outrageous thing I’ve ever heard since Frank isn’t here to speak anymore. RIP. It’s a joke. It’s simply laughable that they are even wasting time contemplating over this. This isn’t the city’s responsibility. AT ALL. And that my friends is the bottom line. (y’all excuse me, I couldn’t help myself with that one…LOL)
#153744 | Author: Queen601 | Date: Nov 30 2009
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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.
