Friday, July 10, 2015

From the mailbag

A reader apparently didn't like the fact JJ reported on the story of a Mississippi State Student being convicted of drug dealing as well as his story on winning a pageant at MSU. 


Hi.
I read your post on Margrish Balasubramaniam which shocked me that anyone would post that. I think that getting into someone else's personal business and posting online for yours as wells others amusement is wrong. How would you feel if you were in those shoes and incarcerated. Would you want your business blasted on the Internet?  Just because you have the facts on the case doesn't give you the right to post about or even make a joke that "will the inmates think his saucy?"
A college student made a mistake and now he will serve his time.
I think you should take the post down because being incarcerated isn't a joke.
Thanks!


I am withholding the name of the author but will say the author is a student at Mississippi State University.   I do respect the author and anyone else who has the backbone to stand up and say what he or she thinks as this one did.  However, Margrish already got a pass from the media.  The media blasted the name of his partner in crime, Kaleb Chhabra, last year when he was arrested for possessing approximately 700 hits of "synthetic LSD"*.    Margrish's name was not mentioned by the media until last week when this website posted the guilty plea of Chhabra.  It was noticed in the indictment that Chhabra had a co-defendant and it was noted.  A quick Google search of Magrish's name revealed the Starkville Free Press article and little else as his part in the crime escaped the notice of the media.

Margrish might have made a mistake but it is still a crime.  He wasn't selling weed or happy pills that zone someone out but was selling poison passed off as LSD.  Suppose he knowingly sold hits of Strychnine and told people it was LSD?  Would that be considered just a "mistake" ( and I am writing this as someone who supports legalization of marijuana.)?   Margrish's "personal business" is the conviction of selling poison to college students.  One Mississippi State student died last year from this poison in an unrelated case.  Being a major dealer of this stuff is serious and is much more than a "mistake".  Kids will be kids and are going to be boneheads.  However, JJ stands by publishing his conviction.  As for the jokes, making jokes about criminals and inmates is as old as time itself. 

The author of the letter neglected one fact and probably didn't think about it.  Margrish is the one who gave the interview to the SFP knowing he was pleading guilty to a felony drug conviction in only a few weeks.  He knew he was under indictment for drug dealing yet he chose the "Look at me" route.  The responsibility for his publicity ultimately rests with him.


* 251-NBOMe, or simply NBOMe is the name for it.  It is much more powerful than LSD.  It can cause seizures and has caused several deaths.  LSD is considered to be non-lethal.

10 comments:

Magriff On Crime said...

I didn't and still DON'T know what you mean about winning a beauty contest. Whether or not somebody takes a bite outa his ass in the pen is something he's just gonna hafta deal with.

Anonymous said...

JFP is burning through reporting staff as of late. You have to be frumpy, overweight and not prone to express independent opinions to remain in the owners' good graces.

Anonymous said...

Man, I had a job at the JFP until that last part...

Anonymous said...

You're right KF , that this person invited media attention.

I'm concerned he may enjoy the added attention.

And, the point by the letter's author that everything seems to be national business these days is well taken with me.

I'd add that every tragedy is often made worse by the glare of the media, not better.

"Criminal caught and convicted " in another town used not to be news except in that town... even a college student in a college town. We once assumed bad apples in every barrel and focus on dealing with our problems and not that of others.

Now, I'm afraid some bad apples get more rotten in their desire to be noticed.



Anonymous said...

Frumpy overweight people are the best.........unless they have opinions.

Burke said...

Great one, 12:59!

Anonymous said...

OR, just don't participate in any negative or criminal activity that will get your name in the paper.

Anonymous said...

A conviction of selling drugs is public record...when you make it part of your "personal business" to engage in illegal activity and are busted then you risk having your "personal business" becoming known to the public,...as it should be.

Anonymous said...

"his saucy" alright...

Guard Duty said...

Frumpy, overweight people are coveted at Parchman.



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
.