Jackson Jambalaya

"undistinguised"

???

2nd to last. The notion that prosecution is still pending?

But I thought the charges against Robbie Bell were dropped? Is there a previously undisclosed third party conspirator involved?

Kingfish trumps all local media again!

Not only are you doing right by Heather's family, you are breaking new ground on open records requests and the public's right to know. Big time kudos and congrats.

One side note. You might want to watermark your exhibits so the JFP doesn't rip them off. How much are you willing to wager that when the report gets released Ladd will get a copy but fail to properly credit you for being the party who fought City Hall and won.

Good on ya, Kingfish - go get 'em.

On another note, the Clarion-Ledger reports today that George Bell III has also been named in the wrongful death lawsuit being brought by the family of Heather Spencer, something I hadn't heard before. I assume the purpose of that is to attach any monies he may stand to inherit?

I would imagine also that his culpability would easier to prove than that of his mother.

Read the lawsuit. I have the pdf in one of the posts. CL is just now getting around to reporting it.

Your dogged pursuit benefits all in Mississippi. Every media outlet owes you a debt of gratitude for pushing this envelope.

The speed at which charges against Robbie Bell were dropped soon after George pled guilty and was sentenced was highly suspicious. The Spencer family and the citizens of Jackson have a right to know what JPD, McMillin, Melton, DA Smith and AG Hood are hiding.

Eric Stracener is a good egg. I hope he kicks their ass.

You're right, Sid - the Spencer family will be well represented by Stracener. Good guy.

I see that Kingfish just got a nice round of attaboys over at folo for his efforts in this.

Excellent work, Mr. 'Fish. Well done, well done. Thanks for taking the time to make them do right.

Kudo's Kingfish. Today, Jackson, tomorrow the world.

Nicely done, sir!

Great job Kingfish. I bet Robbie and Judge Bell are not pleased that the details of their actions (or lack there of) will now be made public.

There is a new freedom of information leader in Jackson. It ain't the JFP.

In its first ruling since gaining new authority, the Mississippi Ethics Commission has ruled a private citizen is entitled to redacted Jackson police initial incident reports involving George Bell III in the slaying of his ex-girlfriend.

"We came down on the side of openness," Ethics Commission Executive Director Tom Hood said of the first advisory opinion in a records dispute.

What will Ladd complain about now? That you aren't making enough phone calls? (LMAO) The JFP non-reporting on Robbie Bell's complicity and negligence is about to get exposed. Great job KF!

Fish. In the WLBT story linked above SORE is quoted as follows:

"We will produce anything up to and including anything the ethics commission states should go out even if it would impede that investigation," O'Reily-Evans said.

What investigation is she talking about that would be impeded?

Good for you! Way to go! I am so pleased that you pursued this and have come out a winner, and in doing so, this will benefit everybody in Mississippi. Thanks for your efforts.

Jon at Mississippi Garden blog in Vicksburg

Very well done! Thanks for your perseverance.

Anonymous at 9:48,

Ladd has been very quiet on the whole public records fight this year. If I were to speculate I would say its because its a pet issue of the Mississippi Press Association. She can't stand them because they will not let her register the JFP as an Associate member, a major slight in her eyes. Thus, I would say she had no interest in helping them with this issue or covering it.

Thanks for all the nice words by the way. They are definitely appreciated.


One thing I want to point out. The City is saying that they hate releasing these as they can harm investigations.

Um, these are already avaiable to defense attorneys as they subpoena them anyway. The only people who were not getting them in the past were the general public and family members, not the target of said prosecutions and investigations.

Congrats on the Clarion-Ledger editorial!

Call it, Citizens 1, Gov't secrecy 0, in the first test of Mississippi's new configuring of the law ensuring access to public records.

In its first ruling since the 2008 Legislature gave it new authority, the Mississippi Ethics Commission has ruled a private citizen is entitled to redacted Jackson police initial incident reports involving George Bell III in the slaying of his ex-girlfriend.