Will Mayor's Health Delay Trial?

"We need to pray for him and without going into specifics of it he's had some health issues that are very serious as he's described".

John Reeves, an attorney for Jackson mayor Frank Melton asked for a continuance yesterday in the federal criminal case against the mayor, claiming health as the issue.

"You know a federal court trial is gonna involve eight or nine hour days maybe ten hours. You get here at seven thirty in the morning and sometimes you don't leave till six or six thirty. And then you've gotta prepare for the next day after that, go back to the office and work till eight or nine or ten o'clock at night. You know, then you gotta still be mayor on top of that. So it's a grueling thing".

The 59 year old Mayor was hospitalized last month for a surgical procedure involving blood clots in his legs. Since 2005 he has had several hospitalizations surrounding his chronic heart problems and high blood pressure. U.S. District Judge Dan Jurdan ordered Melton's physicians to present the mayors medical records in a hearing yesterday. Mississippi College of Law Professor, Matt Steffy says the findings could help off set any potential problems.

"I assume that this is because if the mayor came in on the eve of trial or the day that jury selection is suppose to start and says he's in the hospital he' can't go that the very act of bringing that motion might delay things because the time it would take to convene a hearing bring the, bring experts in, bring the doctor in, get the medical records gathered might very well delay the start of the trial".

Jackson City counsel president, Leslie Mclemore says his concerns for the Mayor lie beyond the courtroom.

"He really has interest in the trappings of the office, the body guards, the car, the ceremonial aspects of it. but he has no interest in governing as mayor. And that's a sad commentary on a person who won the election in an overwhelming fashion. But yes he should have resigned three years ago and he should resign today, right now because he really has no interest in being the mayor of all the people and governing this fair city".

Judge Jurdans decision today could possibly delay the January 5th trial by as much as 6 months. For MPB news, I'm lawayne Childrey.