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Gun-Toting Mayor: Lawman Or Vigilante?
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| Parent(s) |
Candidate
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| Contributor | RP |
| Last Edited | RP Sep 21, 2006 12:55pm |
| Category | Profile |
| News Date | Sep 21, 2006 12:00pm |
| Description | Mayor Frank Melton came into office in Jackson, Mississippi, a bit like a Wild West marshal sworn to clean up the town. But somewhere along the line, prosecutors say, the crimefighting mayor crossed over from lawman to vigilante.
The 56-year-old Melton was indicted last week on malicious-mischief and burglary charges, accused of leading a group of teenagers with sledgehammers in smashing up a house that he claimed was a drug den. He was also charged with carrying a gun on school property.
If found guilty, Melton could get up to 50 years in prison. Two police officers who served as Melton's bodyguards were also charged.
The indictment was the culmination of a furor that had been building for months around Melton, the city's second black mayor in modern times, over his penchant for picking up a gun, putting on police gear and taking part in sweeps, raids and roadblocks despite warnings from prosecutors that he was impersonating an officer. |
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