Jury Selection Key to Capitol City Mayor’s Federal Trial

Perspective jurors came and went from the federal courthouse as protestors gathered outside in support of Jackson's Mayor. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

As more than two dozen potential jurors were excused from their duties because of health, financial or other concerns yesterday, Mayor Frank Melton and his former bodyguard Michael Recio sat at the defendants table in slouched positions and a concerned look on their faces. Mississippi College of Law Professor, Matt Steffy explains how the jury makeup may influence the trial’s outcome.

“The conventional wisdom might be that a predominately white jury might uh favor the prosecution but I think that the further disconnected from crime in Jackson whether that’s by geography or race the more difficult this case becomes for the mayor and officer Recio.”

Melton and Recio are accused of violating the civil rights of a Jackson duplex owner by allegedly leading a group of boys to sledgehammer the suspected drug house in 2006. Outside the courthouse Jackson resident Clarence Bolls, is not convinced trying the mayor is the solution.

“Understand one thing this is not about Frank Melton, this about all of us. Black, white it don’t matter, just the other day a Madison county tag buy drugs out there over there on Ridgeway. So we gotta understand this is not about Frank Melton, this is about all of us.”

The men were acquitted of state charges related to the incident over a year ago. This time Jackson resident Brian Riddle believes the outcome may be different.

“There’s a way you should go about doing things. There’s a dogmatic way sometimes it doesn’t work and an effective way. But I think that was wrong the way he did it. So whatever comes out in the judgment he deserves it.”

Jury selection is expected to wrap up Thursday. For MPB news, I'm Lawayne Childrey.
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