Jackson Mayor's Defense Begins

Defense attorneys will begin calling witnesses today in the federal trial of Jackson Mayor Frank Melton. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports.

Attorney John Reeves is set to give his opening statement today. Afterwards several witnesses are expected to testify that they sold, bought and even used drugs at the Jackson home that Mayor Frank Melton and former bodyguard Michael Recio are accused of destroying. It is not yet known if Melton will take the stand but according to Mississippi College of Law Professor, Matt Steffy, that's the only way the mayor can contradict damaging testimony already given by former co-defendant turned government witness, Marcus Wright.

“I’m not sure what explanation he can give that is going to be a counter weight to the undeniable physical destruction of this property.”

Steffy says this was a difficult situation for the mayor during the state trial two years ago when jurors were from only from hinds county. Now he says things appear to be even worse.

“With a broader cross section of Mississippian’s, with a narrower focus and with officer Wright’s testimony, I think things are very very bad for the mayor and officer recio.”

If convicted, Melton and Recio could each face up to 25 years in prison. For MPB News, I’m Lawayne Childrey.