Tuesday, February 3, 2015

A Tale of Two Prosecutions

Melvin Potts goes on trial February 23 in Madison County for first degree murder and auto theft.  The indictment charges he killed Dr. Garrick Shelton on May 21, 2014 and stole his car. Remember that date.   Dr. Shelton was a professor and Department Chair at Jackson State University. He was stabbed to death.   However, the twenty-one year-old Potts is also a participant in the Hinds County catch & release program. 

  Potts was arrested in 2012 for armed robbery, carjacking, and using a gun in the commission of a felony.  A Hinds County grand jury indicted him on February 5, 2013 for armed robbery with a gun and armed carjacking with a gun.  Circuit Judge Winston Kidd set the bond at $20,000.  He was represented by Attorney Jamiel Wiggins of the Hinds County Public Defender's Office.  Judge Kidd set his trial date for March 13, 2013.

However,  Potts has never been to trial for these Hinds County charges.  Judge Kidd has approved no less than EIGHT continuances for the case.  The most recent order was issued on October 21, 2014.  Judge Kidd has yet to set a trial date for  Potts. EACH and EVERY order has cited "ongoing plea negotiations" as the reason for the continuance.  The District Attorney's office has not entered any responses opposing any of the continuances. Mr. Wiggins recently left the Office of the Public Defender.  

Kingfish note: Keep in mind Potts allegedly killed Dr. Shelton 15 months after he was indicted in Hinds County.  Meanwhile, Madison County is taking him to trial nine months after he allegedly killed Dr. Shelton.  Earlier post. This case was covered extensively by the media in 2014 and the victim is a black male.  2014 WAPT story and video.  





16 comments:

Anonymous said...

A shame that Potts wasn't Str8 Dropped during his apprehension.

Anyone recall C-L columnist Brad "I-still-maintain-that-the-lives-of-black-victims-in-this-city-aren't-held-in-the-same-regard" Franklin's expressing outrage over Dr. Shelton's murder -- which was covered extensively by the metro area media?

Okay. I thought not.

noel said...

Can't be authentically black if you live in Madison. So no outrage over the non-lack of outrage. Duh.

Pittpanther said...

The Shane is that everyone involved silk say they correctly did their jobs:
- The judge will say bond is to ensure the suspect doesn't flee. The suspect never fled, always attended his court appearances, so the judge will say "good job."
- The defendants lawyer will always try to delay, delay, delay. If the DA doesn't object,a good lawyer will keep chasing until you die of old age. Good job.
- The DA has less of a leg to stand on. I don't know why it would take months to negotiate a plea, but I'm sure if pressed the DAs office will have a ready excuse.

So everyone did their jobs, and a college professor is dead as a result. The system is broken.

Anonymous said...

The solution is a new DA! Robert Smith doesn't care about the people of Hinds County. I heard Stan Alexander is going to run for DA. He needs to so the catch and release program with criminals in Hinds County will finally end!

Anonymous said...

How is a circuit judge impeached?

Anonymous said...

So, JPD and Madison Law Enforcement arrest the perpetrators. Its the Hinds DA and some of the Hinds Judges who allow these "un-convicted but suspected criminals to be loose to injure other victims. Glad Madison has him now.

Kingfish said...

You're learning. Another $20,000 bond and he goes and kills someone. Meaning his actual bond was two grand.

Still making fun of Dale Danks and his million dollar bonds?

Eight continuances. Eight.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for continuing to call the judges out for doing this shit. It's about time. Keep the heat on them.

Anonymous said...

Until the judges are elected at-large keeping the heat on them don't mean jack shit. Hinds and Jackson are lost.

Kingfish said...

Won't happen. Dilutes the minority vote.

Here's The Deal said...

Blacks living in Madison ain't down wit the struggle, so Kazzie was right to ignore this unfortunate event.

Anonymous said...

Won't happen. Dilutes the minority vote.

Right. Voting for those judges at-large would mean no white judges, or, definitely fewer and further between.

Lacking a voting population willing to remove judges like Green and Kidd the Hinds County criminal justice system will never be fixed. Replacing only the District Attorney means you change your socks but not your dirty soiled underpants.

Anonymous said...

Potts will be using the "George Costanza" defense....(when George was caught banging the cleaning woman)
"Was that wrong, should I have not done that?"

Anonymous said...

Jackson needs either a new electorate (won't happen) or we need statewide appointed judges (please).

Anonymous said...

To wring our hands and say there is no better person to hold the job D.A. and stick with the status quo is pathetic.
If another person is willing to attempt to try to change the prosecution arm of the Hinds County justice system for the better, listen to what that person has to say, evaluate the proposal they offer and make an informed decision.
I know for a fact that it benefits many of those employeed in the criminal justice system in Hinds County to let things carry on as usual. These people request/agree to/allow coninuances of criminal prosecutions all the while collecting very substantial saleries, waiting for another pay increase passed by the legislature and passing days until time to retire.

NO, everyone is not doing thier designated jobs and it is costing lives, dollars and dignity.

Anonymous said...

Melvin Potts is homosexual and so was the murdered professor from what this neighbors are saying. It could have been from a lovers dispute gone wrong


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
.