Jackson Jambalaya

The court battle between Joyce Jackson and Jackson city councilwoman Larita Cooper-Stokes heads into its second day in Hinds County Circuit Court today. Ms. Jackson is challenging the results of the March 2012 election after she lost to Ms. Cooper-Stokes by 156 votes. Special Judge Richard McKenzie of Hattiesburg presides over the case.

The proceedings didn't start until after 2:00 because there was no court reporter. 88 people appeared for jury duty. Less than a dozen were excused by the judge. Various excuses were offered: medical conditions, sick family members, business owners, taking medication (One man claimed congestive heart failure but oddly enough had no doctor's letter or statement. He appeared to be in his 30's.), students, mothers claiming no one else could watch their kids, and city employees. The judge only excused a few- a student, a man caring for a wife with cancer, and a few that were convicted felons or on mind-altering prescriptions. The funniest moment was when a business owner said he needed to be at work because he didn't trust his two employees. The entire courtroom, including the judge, cracked up, but he still was not excused.&

Bruce Burton, the attorney for Ms. Cooper-Stokes, filed a motion to reconsider. Judge McKenzie heard on May 14 a motion for summary judgement filed by Mr. Burton. He denied the motion but Mr. Burton wanted another swing at the plate so Judge McKenzie heard arguments from both sides for the motion to reconsider yesterday (See second video below). Mr. Burton argued there were no genuine issues of fact and no election fraud took place. He said without any evidence of election fraud, there was no case and the judge should immediately rule on the merits. Attorney John Reeves argued for Joyce Jackson there were indeed issues of fact and he had 30 witnesses that would testify to alleged racial harassment, intimidation, and violations of laws governing polling places on the stand. Judge McKenzie said thank ya much, good arguments, now lets dismiss this motion and move on to jury selection. One got the feeling from watching the two sides in action these two lawyers don't care for each other. I'll even go so far as to say it appeared Mr. Reeves got under Mr. Burton's skin a few times.

Mr. Reeves also said a jury trial was held because the law required it although the two sides could waive a trial by jury and instead proceed under a bench trial. He said while his client was willing to waive a trial by jury, the other side wanted a jury trial. Kenneth Stokes sat impassively through it all although I heard him tell one reporter his wife could recover attorney's fees when she wins the case. Earlier post with copy of complaint.

Judge hears motion to reconsider:


Attorney John Reeves answers questions.