Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Larita Cooper-Stokes hearing

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.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is there a chance that justice will be served and that there will be another vote?

Anonymous said...

I wonder how much Ms Stokes paid those polling workers to pull those shenanigans.

Anonymous said...

Is Mr Burton speaking English? The video needs some subtitles.

Anonymous said...

uh, burton, uh, sounds like uh, he has uh, a chicken, uh, wing in his uh mouth.

plus what he is saying sounds like a really bad 1st year law student's moot court fail episode...

Anonymous said...

i wonder what kind of blow back john reeves is going to get from the city council/ and kennY?

Anonymous said...

i wonder what kind of blow back john reeves is going to get from the city council/ and kennY?

Shadowfax said...

The hatted one say, "People's have a right to free speech." So, that's her defense for her goons inside the precinct telling people who not to vote for?

Early this morning I began to wonder about something. I realize over time people get ugly, gain weight, lose a few teeth and begin to grunt; but, I wonder what this woman looked like years ago the day Kenny proposed to her.

Anonymous said...

Shadowfax...you're too much...LMBO...

Micah said...

That is why Mrs Kenny left her ugly paper signs on the light poles. She knows she'll probably have to run again for city council. Hey...Hey...Hey...



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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).


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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.

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This is definitely a Beaver production.


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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.

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