Friday, June 27, 2014

Breaking: Mark Mayfield is dead.

Update: A suicide note was found. 

Ridgeland police confirmed that attorney Mark Mayfield died of a gunshot wound to the head this morning at his home.  Ridgeland police are at the scene.  The cause of death is under investigation although police sources said it is probably a suicide.   His family suffered no physical harm. Please keep them in your prayers.



Madison Police arrested Mr. Mayfield on May 22 and charged him with conspiracy. He was free on a $250,000 bond. MPD alleged Mr. Mayfield, Rick Sager, and John Mary Hurt conspired with Clayton Kelly to take pictures of Rose Cochran and use them in a video posted online. Mrs. Cochran suffers from dementia and resides at St. Catherine's Village. MPD stated she is in a vegetative state. Mrs. Cochran is the wife of Senator Thad Cochran. Earlier post Mr. Mayfield was the Vice-President of the Central Mississippi Tea Party and served on the Madison County Republican Executive Committee.

Update: Chris McDaniel issued this press release:

"Regardless of recent allegations made against his character, Mark Mayfield was a fine Christian man who was always respectful and kind. He was one of the most polite and humble men I've ever met in politics. He was a loving husband, father, a pillar of his community, and he will be missed. We are saddened by his loss, and we send our thoughts and prayers to his wife, his family and friends."
 Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann issued this statement as well:

 “Mark Mayfield was a friend, an effective attorney, a devoted family man, and was deeply committed to the State of Mississippi and to our Country.  He will be missed.  Lynn and I pray for his family during this difficult time.”

129 comments:

Anonymous said...

All for nothing.

Anonymous said...

Prayers for his family. I guess the pressure and shame were too much.

Anonymous said...

This is just SO HORRIBLE! Prayers lifted for Robin and the boys.
(Mr. McDaniel has much to answer for).

Anonymous said...

Very sad. My condolences to his family.

Anonymous said...

Prayers lifted for his family

Anonymous said...

I blame one person for her political prosecution of this good, kind, decent man. Unforgivable.

Anonymous said...

My sweet Mark...my sweet Mark.

Anonymous said...

This absolutely breaks my heart for his family. Nothing could have possibly been that wrong.

Anonymous said...

This blood is on Chris McDaniel's hands. Praying for the Mayfield family...

Anonymous said...

So sad. Next up: this "conspiracy" gets dismissed as the trumped-up charge it was. Too late for Mayfield, though.

Anonymous said...

Very sad. Nothing was worth this. Nothing.

Anonymous said...

RIP Mark. I'm so sorry the pain was unbearable.

Anonymous said...

It is a shame, Such a deeper person than most will ever know and a kind soul. His pain is only magnified by those of us left here to grieve. RIP my friend and may God have mercy on his family.

Anonymous said...

RIP Mr Mayfield, Praying for your family.
(Another casualty of the MS TEA PARTY)

Anonymous said...

So sad. Mark was a good man. Prayers to his family.

Johnny Weir said...

Too sad to be True.

Anonymous said...

I always figured he was the one that tipped Melanie to the initial arrest.

Milteer said...

What is the world was he thinking when he got involved with those amateurs?

Anonymous said...

@1032

Don't ever post again

Anonymous said...

Thanks Thad. Well played....

Anonymous said...

10:42 you should be ashamed

Anonymous said...

I think his mother passed earlier this year. It had been a rough year for him.

Anonymous said...

10:42 I am a McDaniel supporter but there is no way I can assess blame to Thad for this terrible tragedy and the loss of life of this good and decent man. It is a tragedy, but lets not be quick to blame. I can promise you Thad Cochran feels as bad about this death as I do.

Anonymous said...

Everyone. Step Back. Read Galatians 5:22-23. Ponder that, then if you feel to get on here and make comments about either side and their complicity, I feel very sorry for you.

Anonymous said...

First we should pray for this mans family. Its tragic for them.

It should be crystal clear that there was far more to this story than we will ever know, and one man took those secrets to the grave.

Lee Miller said...

Mark was a friend since childhood. He was a great guy, recent events notwithstanding. Robin and the boys have a hard trek ahead. Please be considerate of them and lift them up in prayer. Unfortunately, his death will be fodder for political football and that is beyond cruel.

Lee Miller

Anonymous said...

I guess he was guilty??

Anonymous said...

Please don't use this man's death for political purposes. His family deserves better than that. He made a mistake, but it was not worth ending his life. I've been told he was a very kind person.

My prayers go out to his family. What a terribly sad situation.

RIP Mr. Mayfield

Anonymous said...

How could Thad be in any way responsible for Mayfield's unbelievable lack of judgment?

Anonymous said...

Mark Mayfield was an outstanding person. I am a Thad backer but the first thing I did after his arrest was text him offering my full support. He was a good friend and a truly decent person. I suspect that the recent death of his mother, which he had not gotten over, had as much to do with this as the political events. Having two or three life-altering tragedies in a short period of time can be hard to handle.

Anonymous said...

What was an outstanding, decent person doing consorting with those three knuckleheads? He lost his way somewhere.

Anonymous said...

Thad Cochran is not to blame for this. Neither is Chris McDaniel. Mayor Mary and her minions guided and directed the shameful circus prosecution of Mark. They sent a SWAT team to arrest a good man for a misdemeanor accusation. Judge Danks dropped a ludicrous bond on him to show how serious Madison was as a show for Mary to look tough in front of the good citizens of St. Catherine's village. The source of this tragedy is the good Mayor of Madison. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Anonymous said...

May Mark go from strength to strength in that perfect continuing service that is everlasting life in Christ our Lord. We will miss you my kind friend. My prayers go out for Robin and the boys.

Anonymous said...

You should ALL be ashamed of how ALL OF YOU have acted over a bunch of political BS!!!! No mans life is worth all the crap said and done over the last 6 months and for WHAT??? So one man can claim a job in politics and do absolutely the SAME THING his predecessors have? NOTHING! Prayers to this man and his family though this difficult time. And prayers to ALL OF YOU involved in the mudslinging and BS shoveling. You have all done NOTHING but bring shame to out great state and help to end the life of another human being, ALL IN THE NAME OF POLITICS!!!!!

Anonymous said...

This dude was an experienced attorney. Why was he even involved in a misdemeanor? Something doesn't meet the eye.

Anonymous said...

Mary has has been destroying or attempting to destroy people for years. This is the first time it ended up in a death. She has much to answer for here. And for those of you who wonder if she can live with herself, don't doubt that she can. She has no soul.

Anonymous said...

Fairly intelligent black lady here, I don't know this guy, but when I read this earlier today, my heart sank. No one should be driven to want to end their life and I can't help but think, this arrest and all these other things did this to him. I certainly hope those who brought charges against this man, have no blood on their hands. If he was accurately charged, then you have to watch who you lie down with. My mom always says it, "you lay down with dogs, you will get up with fleas." People are doing dirty things these days, of the likes we probably can't believe or imagine. Deals with the Devil are being made. You dance with the Devil, just know it won't be to your music. Condolences to the family and either they will sweep this under the rug, let it die for lack of exposure, or they'll dig in and like roaches when the lights are turned on, they'll be scatter.

Anonymous said...

@ 11:13 - Concerning Danks and Mary. Finally the truth is spoken.

Anonymous said...

Please pause and try to see the big picture before making subjective comments. You may be the subject being discussed on this site tomorrow. We all understand the draw of this site. It is anonymous (we think), no one knows we are looking at it (we think) no one knows we are commenting (we think) etc.
SUICIDE IS TABOO. (we think) Mark is at peace. I have wanted to commit suicide before because I live in physical and mental pain. It is horrible. I, like Mark, have a strong faith. Life can become dark. Robin and children...this is for you... Believe me with all of your hearts...Your husband and father was not weak for taking his life. He was not a coward. For whatever reason, whether it was a physical component in his brain; a choice he made with negative repercussions, or a point he reached when he said...I cannot go on...He knew that God was waiting for him, arms open, to hold him and heal him and take the pain away. I have been there. Many times. Then things get better for a while. Then I go there again. Perhaps one day I will make the decision Mark made. For those of you who do not understand, well, you don't understand. Mark Mayfield was a man made of flesh and blood. He leaves a large family behind that would have moved heaven and earth to have prevented his death if they could have done so. Each man lives within himself. The beautiful truth that has come out of this tragedy is that Mark Mayfield is with his Savior. Let's move forward.

Anonymous said...

Blaming this on the Mayor of Madison is childish on all of you. If they arrested him on the pictures then they had some evidence wheither you want to believe it or not. Again what if it had been your parent in the nursing home? Feel sorry for the family but it seems lots more is going on and maybe that was being looked into and lots of other things were being found out. Wonder if the police contacted his attorney and advised him of additional charges being filed for other things.

Anonymous said...

they lost the bond 250gs

Anonymous said...

Exactly.

Mayor Mary and her minions guided and directed the shameful circus prosecution of Mark. They sent a SWAT team to arrest a good man for a misdemeanor accusation. Judge Danks dropped a ludicrous bond on him to show how serious Madison was as a show for Mary to look tough in front of the good citizens of St. Catherine's village. The source of this tragedy is the good Mayor of Madison. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Anonymous said...

I knew Mark. His character was beyond reproach. He was had the kind of moral character that I looked up to and respected. If the political machine can defame him, they can do it to anyone. This is the way the good ole boys destroy their opposition, one by one.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Mayfield was involved with some unscrupulous people. He was involved in wrongdoing, and he made the decision to participate in shameful activity. That doesn't mean he was a bad person. This seems to have been the last in a series of events in his life that he didn't feel he could live with. I'm very sorry for him, for his family and friends. Suicide is an attempt to kill the pain. It comes with a very high price for all concerned.

Anonymous said...

How could a "political machine" force him into becoming involved with such a hare-brained scheme? He had a character flaw somewhere.

Anonymous said...

Why wasn't he allowed to turn himself in for a mideameanor? Did they really need a swat team? Why didn't they send one for Thad's sign stealer arrested in Desoto? Because it is crazy.? Yep. Sleep well, folks that had a hand in this.

Pablo said...

This has gotten way out of hand.This whole escapade is giving the whole state a bad name. Chris needs to concede and quit whining. Thad should support dropping the charges against these gentlemen. Its time to heal.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone else wonder where the "good" Chros McDaniel is in all of this? Oh that's right...he's still whining about his loss instead of issuing a statement regarding the death of this good, decent man. Everything he did was in support of McDaniel, and he hasn't even issued a statement of condolence!

Anonymous said...

those that are blaming others have a cold cruel heart. because this is the first thing you thought of and not his family tells me that your intentions are evil. we are supposed to mourn for the dead. And if he left behind a wife and children this is even more reason that you need to keep your fat mouths shut and your slimy tongues in your mouth. You are a disgrace to the republican party and sicken me.....and confirms the low life thought process that many of you seem to possess. more reason for me to switch parties. I did not know mr mayfield but please refrain from your disrespect and give your sympathies.

Anonymous said...

1201 judge Danks ha! Interesting choice for Madison. And who was standing on the stage behind Cochran that looked like Nancy Pelosi standing behind Obama when Cochran gave his little 8 second speech? yep the Madison gang!

Anonymous said...

1137. why do you feel the need to state your race? this blog is for everyone red yellow black or white--man or woman so telling us you're race does not make us have a difference of opinion. Just saying...

Milteer said...

He was arrested on a felony charge, not misdemeanor.

Anonymous said...

"This whole escapade is giving the whole state a bad name"


Thanks for the laugh, 12:25 PM.



Anonymous said...

You folks need to lay off the s'more schnapps for a day or two. Wipe the froth from your gums and go back to being decent and boring. Maybe turn off the televisions and radios for a few days as well. If anyone has blood on their hands it's Charles C. Johnson and his out-of-state pundits for pushing this along and getting all you folks riled up into a meaningless frenzy.

Anonymous said...

What a very kind and sweet man we have lost. This campaign was so brutal and heartbreaking that he must have found this situation unbearable. It is added cruelty to say that Chris McDaniel was at fault. This can be laid squarely at the feet of those who set him up in this scandal, and by that I mean the Cochran camp and all its minions who would stop at nothing to win this election. You have his blood on your hands.

Anonymous said...

12:36 -- I am a Cochran supporter. Whatever the background on the election issues, I think out of respect for a man's WIFE and his CHILDREN, everyone should stand down. This is not the appropriate forum for anyone to malign, support, attack, defend, etc. Mr. Mayfield, Mr. McDaniel, Mayor Mary, Senator Cochran, etc.

KF -- please open up a separate blog for those people who feel they have to make political points off this issue.

Anonymous said...

There was no SWAT team sent to arrest him They were just investigators from the RPD. C-L has the details.

Anonymous said...

Those blaming Chris McDaniel or the tea party for this are despicable and either dishonest or delusional. But there's a lot of despicable that went on in this election. @11:13 hits the mark. So sorry for Mark's family as they begin to pick up the pieces.

Anonymous said...

I knew it wouldn't take long for some of you to try to politicize this terrible tragedy.

Those of you who have are not just disturbing but so hate filled as to have lost all semblance of humanity. You are in serious need of psychological help.

You hurt, not help any cause or person you imagine you are championing by making such outrageous statements. You have erased any credibility you might have had.

That is because psychologically healthy and rational people can put politics and tragic events in proper perspective.

I would also tell you that if you do not have friends with whom you have some political or religious differences, you don't have many friends.

I did not agree with Mr. Mayfield politically or know him personally . That doesn't keep my heart from going out to his wife , children, family and friends. Those who loved him and called him " friend" saw more of the man than his opinion on something as fleeting as the politics of the moment. And, it is not a surprise to me that he had many redeeming qualities that earned him a special place in their hearts.




Anonymous said...

The deeper one digs into the power structure here in Mississippi the more raw evil you witness. If you know too much, its like the mafia.

Anonymous said...

When I first heard of this tragedy my prayer was for this to be a call to truce and that The Lord would use this as a way to start a healing process. Sadly seeing the responses on both sides, that does not appear to be the case. My heart is hurting for the sin and malice that is evident among our fellow Mississippians. A man died today, and we are pointing fingers and trying to accuse others of being responsible. We will never really know why he chose this route, but it is sad and heartbreaking it came to this no matter who did what

Anonymous said...

"(Pat) Bruce is not alone in those feelings. So many who have reached out to me today feel Madison police and the district attorney's office went too far with the way they handled their investigation and particularly with their treatment of Mayfield."

Pat Bruce is right: Mayor Mary owns a big chunk of this one.

http://www.clarionledger.com/story/dailyledes/2014/06/27/mayfield-death-pat-bruce/11484789/

Anonymous said...

1:22 is correct I personally saw 1 unmarked police car a madison pd officer with a bullet proof vest on and a hinds county sherriff car. No swat team.

Anonymous said...

So if someone sends me a picture and I share it with others the swat team will come to my house? hell I could not even get the police to come over to the drug dealers house next door. I could not even get the judge to press charges on a girl taking advantage of a vulnerable adult or get a return phone from that local division. .. and a swat team for thisssss???? that is absolutely ridiculous!!! you would have thought he was a terrorist. Its only because it happened to someone in a high position that had available resources to react quickly. those madison folks should be ashamed of the way they handled this. On judgement day they will be taking care of! I do not see how they could look at themselves in the mirror every day knowing that their actions were probably the straw that broke the camel's back. Just Shameful. when you guys go to church pray for yourselves for forgiveness for the way this matter was handled.....although there are some that do not have a conscience and I will pray for you. Shame on those that reacted this way and shame on those that had them to do it ! now I hope you feel better and you know who you are. pray hard for Mr Mayfield's family and to give them courage and strength to get through this terrible time of tragedy.

Kingfish said...

I will write this as someone who was a friend of Mark's and am very sad to see this happen.

Anyone making comments on the investigation is making them pretty much blind. We don't know what the evidence is, we haven't really seen anything, and while we can say what we want, we really don't know. Don't worry, if you've read this website, you know the courtfiles, testimony, etc will wind up here when produced. Just remember no one has seen an actual case outside of law enforcement.


If it was a phony case, then have at it. If it was a bona fide case, then ok. I've known Mark for years and always liked him. We were friends. Not best friends but friends. He's going to be missed by me and more than a few people regardless of how the kelly case turns out. Keep the family in your prayers.

Anonymous said...

It doesn't matter if it was a swat team or not. Stop obsessing over that minor detail. What matters is just what Pat said. The Madison Mayor and her police and judge lashed out at Mark for political gain and this was the result. mayor Mary needs to explain herself and why she thought this was all necessary.

Anonymous said...

you have to imagine that guilt, or shame drove him to this desperate act. likely guilt for if he were falsely accused, I think he would not have the shame. My guess is that he
was implicated beyond question.
someone driven by guilt/shame possibly left a note.

Lori said...

I'm proud to live in Madison. It's b/c of our Mayor , Judge, and police officers that our city is safe and virtually crime free. The city officials didn't pull the trigger ... "If you can't do the time, don't do the crime". That being said, I knew Mark and he was a great guy! Pray for his family and shut up about whose to blame!

Anonymous said...

And one has to remember where Mary was standing on Runoff night. Right behind Thad with a smile that looked like she earned after giving a good rodgering.

Discussing display of abuse of power. Sympathies to the family.

Anonymous said...

The whole photo scandal was nothing that warranted felony charges.

The way the powers that be tried to publicly humiliate and ruin those involved probably contributed to Mark's depression over the whole saga.

In a year or two the whole photo thing would have blown over and been largely forgotten.

Mark was a good man. I don't know what exactly happened in the photo scandal, but I highly doubt any of it would hold up in court as a felony.

It pains me to think that Mark was so upset that he felt this was his only option.

Prayers to his family and friends. He will be missed.

Anonymous said...

Knowing Mark, it was not guilt, it was the fact his reputation and that of his family was tarnished. Even if and when this mess was proven or not, he knew things would never be the same. He was so proud of his grown sons, who are very smart and successful, and I'm sure he feels he let everyone down just for the fact of being implicated and arrested. He had the kindest soul I've seen. He also had lost his father, mother (just a few months age), brother (age 14 I think) and baby sister over the course of his lifetime, and I'm sure he felt a cumulative sense of loss, also.

Anonymous said...

Lori, You think your life wouldnt be ruined if someone made false accusations against you? You might lose your job or your clients. Do you realize how little it takes to be charged with something? Then you are arrested, handcuffed, given huge bond amounts that make you look even more guilty? Then a campaign puts your face in ads all over TV? In America people are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. That is not the way Mark was treated by Madison PD, which is controlled by one person.

Anonymous said...

Mark will be missed. A superb, caring man. Emphasis on caring as Mark cared so much about our country. Right or wrong will be determined and we should expect full accountability from the justice system. Keep this in mind. Mark had a great deal of money and he could have sat on his butt and focus on spending it but he, instead, worked hard, took care of his family and worked for the USA. There are many accusers, mockers, wannabes and critics who make comments on this line including me every now and then. I wish I had the natural class and kindness this man displayed. RIP Mark. We'll miss you.

Anonymous said...

People, I can't imagine why a falsely accused person who obviously had so many who cared about him would commit suicide. I'm assuming his innocence and that he may have had problems of which we are unaware.
As an attorney, if guilty, then he certainly knew the risks he was assuming in participating and the possible charges that could be filed if his involvement became known.
In either case, this is a terrible tragedy.
If innocent, I'm sorry he didn't trust that he'd be exonerated. If guilty, I'm sorry he made such a bad decision in the heat of a political campaign and didn't believe that his life could be rebuilt.


Anonymous said...

We shouldn't judge Mary or Dale. Soon enough they will be judged by our maker. They will have to answer for their sins. I pray for Marks family as we all should.

Anonymous said...

Am I the only one noticing that he lived in Bridgewater on Cherry Laurel lane? Three lawyers dead who lived on that small street in six months. All with strange circumstances. Waycaster, Precious and now Mark Mayfield. Where is John Grisham on this one? Very strange coincidence? KF I understand if you don't post this but I'm floored.

Anonymous said...

We are blessed to live in a country with free speech.
We also live in a country with wonderful educational opportunities. Many comments that have been made are so uneducated, improper, wrong and taken out of context that the persons submitting them should be put in kindergarten level programs. It is embarrassing
that a portion of this posted information is open to those out of MS to view. As a Mississippian who cares about our State, I am appalled. The Mississippians that make our State strong and wonderful do not agree with the slaughter of character and questionable ethics of many of these posts. Of course, this site does lend itself to good reading, which we do encourage! :)

Anonymous said...

Irrespective of one's political or religious leanings, no one should judge him or know his motive. As Pope Francis said when recently asked about another controversial issue: "Who am I to judge?" Pray for him, his family and for peace.

Mark B. Williams said...

Mark was a true friend to me and my family. I truly admired his depth of character and caring nature. I only hope that the children and Robin can eventually find peace.

I am totally stunned and shocked by this. Why?

Anonymous said...

The comments here are amazing: basically nothing but people using one excuse or another to call each other evil or stupid or unchristian. I need to print this out, to show to people who ask why we left Mississippi. Because THIS is what people there are REALLY like, beneath their "easy-goin'" veneers.

You people probably ARE all the awful things you're calling each other. Except, please leave Mary Hawkins Butler out of it. We lived in Madison, and like countless others, were beneficiaries of her kindness and self-sacrifice. Unlike others, who thump their bibles while doing evil, she actually LIVES her Christian faith. If anything, she's too good and generous for her own good.

I wish all the bitter, failed developers (and their wives and secretaries and moms) would just go someplace else, having failed to rape Madison. Why don't you losers just go somewhere else? Why? Because Mary Hawkins Butler has made Madison so special there IS noplace like it (not on your side of the Rockies, anyway). But really... Can't you just go and help ruin Oxford or Southhaven or Petal?

We would have left Mississippi long before we finally did, if not for Mayor Mary. And a good chunk of our success - our ABILITY to pay to relocate to a more posh part of the country - was due the climate of optimism that Mary created in Madison. She helped make us who we are. And she's helped countless others.

I would suggest that you losers concentrate on moving your scraggly asses somewhere else, instead of wasting time trying to dirty Mayor Mary's name. There's a reason why seventy seven percent of the residents of that town voted for her this time, despite the best efforts of the cabal of criminals trying to oust her. She's one of the few good things Mississippi has going for it.

If not for Mary, there would BE no Madison County Miracle - no Nissan plant - no high concentration of exceptional people and fine homes - and far more people would have fled Mississippi. Are you really so greedy and selfish that you would attempt to ruin things for everyone else, by discrediting the person who made it all happen, just because YOU were too incompetent or dysfunctional to participate in making Madison what it is?

Anonymous said...

Very sad, what has befallen Mayfield's family and friends.

Re: Pat Bruce's remarks, it does seem that, in a functioning democracy, the Madison P.O. could and should be required to explain the apparently different treatment of Mark Mayfield.

That assumes, of course, that the City of Madison is a functioning democracy.

Anonymous said...

2:16 said it best. And the to the people that matter he will be remembered for all the good and great things he did and was. Rest in peace Honorable Mark Mayfield.

Anonymous said...

@2:16 You have said it all and captured the essence of what I feel. My prayers, my sincere prayers will be for him, for his family, and for our State.

Anonymous said...

He was a seasoned professional that somehow got involved with people he would normally never even meet. They say politics makes for strange bedfellows. It is hard to believe he did not know better.

Anonymous said...

Great worthy to the point comment 3:43. Thank you for posting it. I live in northeast Jackson and so admire what the Queen has created there. If you ask Leland Speed who is hero is, he will tell you Mary Hawkins, Mississippi's greatest realtor.....and that is what she sells every day of her life.

Now to the Mark Mayfield tragedy....May Gods mercy and strength be with the family. A pure tragedy.

Anonymous said...

3:43 and 4:32 are crass at a time like this to come on here with insults. Sounds like a paid lackey whose only goal is protecting their boss. Mark was a wonderful person. He did not deserve to be destroyed to make a political point. Looks like to me someone is nervous.

Micah Gober said...

Suicide is attributed to a mental disorder such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder,[1] alcoholism, or drug abuse. I guessing with Mark's case it was depression. I know i'm as guilty as the rest who accused him of wrong doing. I said some bad things that can never be taken back.

Anonymous said...

Mayor Hawkins,
I'm the woman who came to your antique store when you were thinking of running for office and suggested you go to Roswell, GA to see the possibilities.
I understand what your goals were and are and what you have achieved and will achieve despite the ignorance that abounds.
I know you far too bright to let the attacks on this site deter you.
And, I know you are also saddened by this horrible tragedy.

Anonymous said...

3:43, are you saying your economic success I'm Madison justifies Mary 's horrific treatment of Mark Mayfield? Sure sounds like it...

Anonymous said...

For my sake, I truly hope I don't have my life and character judged based on any one particular act I've done. Matter of fact, I don't wish that on anyone. Every actor in this drama is a person, a human. None of them are perfect, and all of us have made decisions and done things that we cringe about in hindsight. We are all alike in that way. Maybe we each share some of the same character flaws we revile in others. Some of the bad things we do to each other have public and severe consequences and some just haunt us privately. Each of us bare some amount of blame for the way things turned out. Some people may have been participants, others of us may have played the role of voyuuers consuming and commenting on the misfortune and human frailty of others. No matter which category our transgressions against each other fall into, we are all the same. Maybe we should all comment on that for a while and give the dead a brief respite from consequence.

Anonymous said...

"3:43 and 4:32 are crass at a time like this to come on here with insults. Sounds like a paid lackey whose only goal is protecting their boss. Mark was a wonderful person. He did not deserve to be destroyed to make a political point. Looks like to me someone is nervous." June 27, 2014 at 4:48 PM

Do you realize, 4:48, that you have just offered yourself as an ILLUSTRATION of what 3:43 was talking about? Are you a developer/civil engineer/builder who tried (but failed) to have his way with Madison? Or are you a developer/civil engineer/builder's lovesick secretary, bitter wife, or vendetta-driven mother? Just wondering...

Anyway, in your haste to deflect and insult, did you realize that 3:43 made no mention of Mark at all? That post seemed to be about the inappropriate comments being made here. And what do you do? You come along and make yet another comment of the type that 3:43 was describing. And where are the "insults" in 4:32's comment?

As for the last sentence of your post, why don't you go look in the mirror? I think you'll find your 'nervous someone' there. Too, there will possibly be a 'paid lackey' staring back at you.

Anonymous said...

So a good man is dead, and Mary's goons are talking about the importance of their real estate prices. Sounds right.

Anonymous said...

3:43, are you saying your economic success I'm Madison justifies Mary 's horrific treatment of Mark Mayfield? Sure sounds like it...

June 27, 2014 at 5:21 PM
___________
Nice try at sneaking in a set of INVALID ASSUMPTIONS.

I made an A in Logic. Apparently, you did not. Or, possibly, you are hoping that others will be more gullible.

You are attempting to insert the assumption that Mayor Mary was the driving force behind the handling of the case. Considering the large number of powerful interests which have converged to influence this Senatorial election, I would think that you would have a long list of "suspects". You do realize, don't you, that the Tea Party has enemies - very powerful enemies - beyond Mississippi's state line?

And those running Saint Catherine's Village can not have been pleased by the incident. Do I need to point out that Saint Catherine's is affiliated with one of the most powerful entities on the planet? It is an entity with access to Supreme Court Justices, America's top attorneys, and legendary parallel power structures. I sincerely doubt that any leaders within that entity, or within Saint Catherine's organization, were amused by the antics of the picture-takers.

In the unlikely event that actions against the conspirators in the picture-taking gambit were overreaching or improper, there is such a long list of powerful potential 'driving forces' behind those actions, I find it curious that you should focus on Mayor Mary. Or perhaps you have a PERSONAL GRUDGE against her?

Also invalid is the assumption that Mark Mayfield's treatment was "horrific". I do business in Eastern Europe and Northeast Asia. I could tell you about "horrific", in considerable detail.

As it was, Mark Mayfield was out on bond, and at home, when his moment of personal crisis occurred. If you have evidence that he was mistreated during or after his arrest, then I'm sure most of us would be interested in hearing about it. Torture? Rape? What exactly do you mean by "horrific"?

My guess is that you don't mean much at all.

In summary: Not Mary's doing. Not "horrific". You can run along, now...

Anonymous said...

Wow. A good person has died, and Mayor Mary sends out her storm troops to talk about how SHE is the victim. Classy.

Anonymous said...

Time will tell of these were trumped up charges and Mary's police department and judge smeared a man tp to help her good friend Thad.
And when that day comes she will have to answer for it.

Anonymous said...

7:17 quit drinking. Read your post.

Anonymous said...

I did not know Mark Mayfield personally, but I DO know that suicide is ALWAYS an extremely selfish choice to make.

It appears that Mr. Mayfield made some very poor choices regarding the incident of Rose Cochran's picture being taken and briefly posted online. Unfortunately, the negative legal and financial consequences of those poor choices by Mr. Mayfield are NOTHING in comparison with the emotional pain that his wife and children will now face as a result of his suicide.

Mrs. Mayfield and her children will be in my prayers.

Anonymous said...



"Wow. A good person has died, and Mayor Mary sends out her storm troops to talk about how SHE is the victim. Classy." June 27, 2014 at 7:14 PM

Excuse me, Miss Amy Vanderbilt, but who made YOU 'The Arbiter of Classy'?

Repeated slurs against Mary were made, before any of her "Goons" and "Storm Troopers" entered the fray.

I'd imagine, though, that if teeshirts were available, bearing the words MARY'S GOONS or MARY'S STORM TROOPERS, a majority of Madison's residents would wear them with pride. Me, I'd be HONORED to bear such a title. Fact is, she doesn't NEED to "send out" anyone. We've got her back. She represents OUR interests.

A lot of these anti-Mary posts seem to be from one bitter old man. I'm thinking this particular one hasn't seen his own feet - or other 'parts', for decades. He can see his feet in a full-length mirror. not the other 'parts', though. They've sort of receded. He consoles himself by going around in cheap suits and using awkward English at public assemblies.

His last name is surely associated with a famous country-style witch. Not the Blair Witch. another one like that, though.

Anonymous said...

No matter how you slice it, using a SWATT team to arrest Mark is a blatant abuse of power. Excessive force was absolutely used in Mark's arrest. My family has been a victim of Madison's abusive and aggressive law enforcement. Until you, your child or your family experiences this type of abuse personally, you will never fully grasp the mental impact it can cause. Especially when you are innocent of the charges.

Anonymous said...

Sad someone had to die from an election. Sorry for Mr. Mayfield's family. Before we place blame on Madison PD and the mayor. How about never committing the act at all. Whether he did this or not, his name came up somewhere. The MBI was also investigating. Never read where they could be responsible too. Last I saw, Mary never went and arrested Mr. Mayfield personally. Is she the police chief.? Do they inform her of every arrest made? The only people to blame is the people involved in the first place. This photo incident should have never happened.

Jeff Rimes said...

Kingfish, if there was ever a good time to require people to post under their real name, this would be it.

Anonymous said...

7:59. This why normal people detest you Tea Party Nazi nuts. The SWAT not SWATT DA team was never used. Good Lord.

Anonymous said...

7:14 pm I haven't spoken with Madison mayor in over 20 years.
I do have the degrees necessary to recognize paranoia when I see it.
Please get help.

Anonymous said...

The CL blog post by Sam Hall quotes a Ms Bruce who refers to the arrest group of law enforcement as a six member SWAT team. To a woman, six police with special gear is a "SWAT team". It is excessive regardless of the technical term. To a male citizen that number of policemen signifies raw state power.

S K said...

Prayers and love and respect for Mark's family. I learned many lessons from Mark, just from casual political association. He was the definition of a 'class act' in all his endeavors. His family must be absolutely devastated. I pray that God will help us hold our tongues from anything which will be in any way further hurtful to those who loved him. Help us honor his memory and act in a way which conforms with the high standards he always showed.

Anonymous said...

The Republican insiders should encourage the DA to reduce the charges and take the politics out of the Cochran nursing home case.

Anonymous said...

This is such a tragic situation. I personally knew Mark, and he was a fine man. I am saddened at the ridiculous comments on both sides of the aisle on this blog. All this man was doing was trying to help another person prove that Cochran had an affair, and had left his wife at St. Catherine's. All of this is over, and now we see a life ruined and a family in mourning. So sad.

Anonymous said...

Wishing the best to the family, friends and colleagues of a very fine man. He was exceptional.

Anonymous said...

If you look at it realistically, the criminal charges against him were ridiculous. So sad.

Anonymous said...

He should have considered the welfare of his clients before he got mixed up in all of this.

Anonymous said...

Jesus, KF. Shut this down. The man is dead. Let his family mourn in some semblance of privacy, and allow the crows to feast later.

Anonymous said...

My prayers go out to Ruth Mayfield and her sons.------The Madison P.D.,Queen Mary,M.E Waldrop,Vicki whoever on the Mad. P.D. who termed the photographs of Sen. Cochran's wife in the nursing home "Priceless",the Madison P.D. Swat team,Dale Danks,and any other person in a position of power in the city of Madison,you are partly to blame for this exercise of abusive power in the way this man was arrested and charged. I wouldn't trust any of you any further than I can spit.

Anonymous said...

He died defending his "country" and the "constitution". To resore America to the " principles which it was founded" Mission accomplished. 1 down 3 to go.

Anonymous said...

A likely scenario to consider.

Mark was pulled in on charges to give some seriousness to the ordeal. One sweaty guy filming does not a good election scandal make.....

Anonymous said...

An extremely sad situation. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. I have not posted any comment up to this point, but with all the garbage being thrown around here, I suppose there is no harm.

Hard to imagine this would have taken place if there was not some guilt regarding the scandal. I hope the courts will accurately determine whether or not that is the case. If there was no guilt, it seems he would have been eager for his day in court in order to clear his name. No idea how much emotional stock he had in this election, but perhaps throwing away a reputation and a career and then losing the election was too much.

Regarding the tea party, I was originally under the impression you guys were all about personal responsibility. However,this campaign has revealed many of the fold are no different than the extreme left, seeking to blame everything on someone else and not take responsibility for anything. It also seems many have become extremely fanatical. Some seem to be fanatics over the cause, some seem to be consumed with McDaniel himself. I urge you to take a step back and reevaluate your current states of mind. Things are obviously out of hand.

Anonymous said...

@6:31 am

Having your reputation shredded, whether or not the charges are true, are enough to ruin your life. He was wealthy due to a large inheritance, and didn't have to work, but enjoyed it. Losing his biggest clients due to the trumped up, overblown charges killed his soul. The only guilt he felt was for opening up his family to crap such as yours.

Anonymous said...

The man's crime was supposedly telling her room number. I hope the folks that orchestrated his overblown charges and public ambush by a group of police are happy with themselves. May he RIP.

Avery Wiseman said...

This string of comments is just sick. It takes a rare level of callousness and heartlessness to use a person's suicide as a means to advance your political agenda. I didn't know Mr. Mayfield, but I do know he left behind as victims a family as well as many friends who didn't ask for their lives to be turned upside-down by these horrible circumstances. Have some respect, people.

Anonymous said...

Professionals don't get themselves involved in something like this, overblown or not. There is absolutely no excuse for what he did - even if he JUST gave out a room number.

Anonymous said...

Kind of sad seeing all the Republican leadership, who never condemned the low-grade political prosecution of Mark Mayfield, now offering condolences. I assume they remain politically motivated in doing so. They have no capacity for shame.

Anonymous said...

@9:01 ^^^^ Wow. You must be so perfect yourself to inject supposition into something you know nothing about. Your mama must be so proud.

Anonymous said...

where there's smoke, there's usually fire. innocent lawyers don't commit suicide. they see themselves cleared of wrongdoing.

Anonymous said...

The desperation of the Cochran camp to win at all costs shows to what lengths a political machine will go. Mark Mayfield did absolutely nothing wrong, but was ensnared in a dirty, lowdown political scheme by the powers that be. This charge hung over his head for weeks, and he was unable to speak out about it because of a gag order. How would you feel if you read and heard your own name associated with this sleaziness for every hour of every day? The charges were trumped up for political gain, pure and simple.

Anonymous said...

To those compassionate, intelligent and just individuals who have upheld our notion of innocent until proven guilty, thank you.

I have yet to see a scrap of evidence against Mark Mayfield, and although photographing Rose Cochran was crass, I defy anyone to substantiate his involvement. The City of Madison has a moral obligation to try Mr. Mayfield in absentia and finally exonerate him. Their evidence was non-existent, his involvement with those who committed the crime was non-existent, and the guilt by association that he endured was solely a result of Madison’s decision to indict him with others. Slander is a murderous crime.

Mr. Mayfield had many, many friends and colleagues who thought highly of him. Reputations like his are earned over a lifetime, and that should count for far more than an episode of slander. It should, but what happens when an innocent person is faced with the prospect of enduring a bloodthirsty court of public opinion, a bureaucratic witch-hunt, and a merciless, baseless prosecution by the City of Madison? I can’t imagine the hopelessness and disgrace he must have felt, and I hope that no one here ever has to endure that same injustice.

Anonymous said...

What if he was not innocent, though. What do you say then?

Anonymous said...

What if he was inncocent, though? What do you say then?

A good man destroyed at someone's whim, and for political gain.

Anonymous said...

First and foremost, your assumption should be that he was innocent until proven guilty. And he has in no way been proven guilty.

Second, now that confidentiality is out the window, the facts are beginning to emerge. His involvement appears to have been refusing to be involved.

Third, it is a confusing situation to anyone wanting answers. But the implication of guilt by harsh treatment is never an answer. Rather, it is a problem that lies squarely at the feet of the prosecution and the City—never, never at the feet of the innocent.

Anonymous said...

His non-client call logs will answer the question, once and for all.

Kingfish said...

I'm shutting down comments on this thread.

I let things go on as they did because I know Mark's apparent suicide upset many people and frankly, they just needed a place to vent.

Mark was a friend of mine. We've broken bread at lunch and breakfast many a time. He's been a strong supporter of this website and was respected by many.

Having said that, I've covered enough stories to not be surprised by much anymore. This one shocked me. However, I will say that I dont' know if he was guilty or innocent, if the charges were bogus or deserved. No one has presented any evidence. All we know, and I do mean all we know, is that he was arrested and some testimony that took place in the courtroom. Period.

We haven't seen anything. As this was a conspiracy charge and there are other defendants, we will probably see the evidence that would have been used against Mark. If we don't, this website will work to get said evidence. If Mark is innocent, then we will lead the charge in proclaiming his innocence. If he got stupid, well, that's all we have to say. The day will come when we will learn the strength of the case. Today is not that day.

Mark will be missed. I'd be lying if I said this didn't affect me. Why, Mark, why? You didn't have to do this. Many cared about you. You know that. You know you had supporters. We all make mistakes and yes, at times we get stupid. I hope you found whatever peace you sought.

Mark was witty, sincere, and rarely had a mean thing to say about anyone. There is hurt, anger, outrage, horror, and just plain shock.

Pray for his family. Pray for his children. I don't know what else to write. He was a friend and it breaks my heart writing this column, reporting his death, even just thinking about it. He meant a great deal to many people.

He will be missed.


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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.


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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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