Sunday, September 26, 2010

Fire Tyrone Lewis

When will the Tyrone Lewis show end? First he gets caught letting his son make money off of JPD training facilities in violation of the law. While Chief, he pimped himself out as an expert witness, charging an up-front retainer of $3,500 and $200 an hour. Now the Supreme Court busted him for lying in court. The Clarion-Ledger reported:

"The court this week threw out the Jan. 30, 2009, jury award and ordered a new trial in Hinds County Circuit Court in the wrongful death lawsuit against management and owners of Rebelwood Apartments off Terry Road.

The case stemmed from the shooting death of Crystal Coleman, whose body was found in her car Jan. 11, 2007, at Rebelwood, where she resided. The lawsuit alleged the complex did not provide adequate security.

Dwight English, father of one of Coleman's two children, was awarded $3 million in January 2009, a decision based largely on the belief Coleman was killed on Rebelwood property. But Rebelwood defense attorneys alleged the shooting did not take place on their property
."

That presented a little problem. Tyrone Lewis, Deputy Chief of JPD, yes, the Deputy Chief testifed as an expert witness for the plaintiffs even though it involved his department. Last time I checked, expert witnesses usually get paid for their services. The opinion focuses on Mr. Lewis's testimony:

"Another of English’s expert witnesses, Tyrone Lewis, Deputy Chief of JPD, testified as follows: “[T]here is no documentation, no written statements or anybody to come forward to say that it did not happen [at Rebelwood].” He further testified that he read on the police report where the shooting occurred."

The police report actually stated the shooting took place at another location. Mr. Lewis had access to all police reports as a Deputy Chief a JPD. The Mississippi Supreme Court pretty much called Tyrone Lewis a liar and perjurer:

"Part of the excluded exhibit included findings of fact contained in a sworn affidavit Jones presented to a court to obtain an arrest warrant. The erroneous ruling allowed plaintiff’s expert, Tyrone Lewis, to testify with impunity and without fear of exposure, “[T]here is no documentation, no written statements or anybody to come forward to say that it did not happen [at Rebelwood].” The trial court should have known that Lewis’s statement was untrue. In fact, repeated references and statements to the contrary exist throughout the investigative reports. A cursory examination would reveal this truth. Under either scenario, Lewis’s statement was patently erroneous and violated the purpose and construction of our Rules." Opinion

There should be simply no room in JPD for a deputy chief who takes money to testify for JPD or lies about what is in the police reports on the stand. Its hard to decide which is worse: Tyrone Lewis committing perjury or prostituting his position at JPD. It does not matter how many friends Mr. Lewis has or that everyone says "he's a good guy". The fact is Tyrone Lewis helped his son break the law two years ago. He exploited his position as Chief for personal financial gain. Now he broke the law and probably committed perjury in his capacity as a law enforcement official. One can only wonder what else Mr. Lewis has taken money for in his eagerness to pad his checking account. Mayor Johnson should fire Tyrone Lewis and ask the District Attorney to investigate his statements for perjury. Mr. Lewis should be setting examples for police officers, not prostitutes. Mayor Johnson should kick him to the street where he can work the street.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

He should be charged with perjury. Will other cases he has testified in now be subject to scrutiny?
Tyrone Lewis is disgrace any way you slice it- and has been for quite a while!

Anonymous said...

His last name is spelled wrong in the header. I agree he should go.

Anonymous said...

Never mind Lewis -- what about Winston Kidd?

Ironghost said...

It's Jackson, they won't do anything.

Anonymous said...

It's Mississippi and they won't do anything.

He didn't lie...he simply provided false testimony.

Anonymous said...

No, not false testimony (although that's how Kitchens et al would describe it), he just "misremembered".

Anonymous said...

Wait, is not the new "standard" for Jackson, MS?

Anonymous said...

What about the atty that put him on the stand knowing he was providing false testimony? I wonder if he was pondering how he was going to spend 30% of $3,000,000 instead of disregarding his professional ethics.

Anonymous said...

Exactly!

Anonymous said...

30%? Most fee agreements call for 40% to 50% if the case goes to trial.

Anonymous said...

Kingfish, any way to get an answer on something? CL reports how much $ he makes off doing this then says

“Jackson Police Department policy bars officers from off-duty work that includes being an expert witness in which the officer will be giving his opinion in any matter investigated by JPD or any other city departments, unless the officer's testimony is given on behalf of the city or the city attorney.”

Chief Coleman should be asked what's going on.

Anonymous said...

The City has had this policy before and defendants have raised the policy as a reason to exclude Lewis's testimony but the courts have held that the policy itself was not sufficient to exclude his testimony.

However, Lewis's conclusions are so unsupported that courts are excluding his testimony on that basis - if not in the trial court then on appeal. Frankly, I don't understand why anyone is wasting their money on him anymore. Of course, people still hire Steve Hayne.

Anonymous said...

I don't know anything about this case, but would like to point out that it is possible for someone to give "expert testimony" and not be paid for it. For instance, a party can designate a Highway Patrol accident reconstructionist to elicit expert opinions on a case that he/she worked on, and not actually pay them anything. They are experts on account of their knowledge and training.

Anonymous said...

That's true. But Tyrone Lewis is being hired, and paid, by plaintiff's lawyers as an expert in premises security.

Anonymous said...

KF if you are referencing the double quick decision, then i'm calling you out on this one. the only reference to Lewis in that opinion was when his expert opinion was described as "illogical." that is no where close to calling him a liar or busting him for lying. if you are referencing a different opinion, then name the case please.

Anonymous said...

He's not talking about the Double Quick case but instead the Rebelwood Apartments case that came out the same day.



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.