A Jackson Municipal Court judge shut down the Extended Stay Studio 7 Hotel on I-55 Frontage Road in North Jackson after finding the hotel was unfit for human habitation. Hotel owner Anilkumar Patel pleaded guilty to code violations but managed to avoid going to jail.
Judge Jeff Reynolds shut down the hotel last summer but the hotel appealed to Hinds County Court. County Court Judge Johnny McDaniels held a hearing, sorted it all out, and kicked the case back to Judge Reynolds.
Judge Reynolds inspected the hotel in December. The Court discovered rooms with asbestos exposure, fire hazards, pervasive mold, and a strong stench of well, crap on the floor. Some of the tenants included children.
Judge Reynolds closed the hotel after holding a trial on December 29. Patel must remove all tenants by January 10 and pay $7,500 towards their relocation. Patel has 150 days to bring the hotel up to code or demolish the building. Judge Reynolds sentenced Patel to serve 120 days in jail but suspended the sentence, making it contingent upon compliance with the order.
Patel also agreed to give up his right to appeal the order. Attorney Edna Jones-Stringer represented the defendant.
23 comments:
HALLELUJAH! City needs to take down a few more of these decrepit roach motels along I-55 and US-80.
Patels are slum lords and convience store operators-
Milked the cow and my bet is he now walks away. Leaves area to avoid jail time.
smells like boo boo....raw boo boo
That's not fair. Where will Chowke's "dope boys" sell their wares?
"Patels are slum lords and convience store operators-"
That's not true. I know some damn fine people that are Patels. Several Indian folks made poor investments in the Jackson area, trying to live the American dream. The owners are only trying to hold onto those poor investments because the American dream is all they've got. Fortunately, the justice system is forcing their hands by taking those emotional decisions out of their hands and closing/ordering the demolishment of the hotels. And, hopefully some of the Indian immigrants will learn there are some areas that just aren't worth the investment.
yeah, like the ones down the street who allowed their managers to deal drugs at the front desk.
or the convenience store busted several years ago that was dealing drugs and stolen merchandise over off of Northside.
It needs to be demolished
that's a fine hotel. i put my mother in law up there every year she visits!
"or the convenience store busted several years ago that was dealing drugs and stolen merchandise over off of Northside."
...or the ones in Canton, Clinton and down 49 that sell beer and cigarettes to minors.
American Dream my ass. THAT is NOT the American Dream.
Judge Reynolds provides a tremendous service to the community. He is fair but tough. He will give someone a second chance if they deserve it but he will absolutely come down on them with both feet when needed. His rulings are well-reasoned, intellectually honest and legally sound. He does good work and we should be thankful for his service.
Judge Reynolds provides a great service to the community. He is fair but tough. He will give a second chance to someone who deserves one but if they blow it, he will come down on them with both feet. His opinions are well-reasoned, intellectually honest and legally sound. We should be thankful that Jeff Reynolds is on the bench serving our community.
Isn't this a job for city code enforcement? Why is judge getting involved in code violations? Does a city inspector make the recommendation, but a judge have to sign off on it?
DANG Kingfish, Don't beat around the bush, just tell it like it is!!!!!!!
@11:31 but for those convenient stores, I might not have ever gotten a beer in high school. I agree on cigarettes, but what is more 'murica than beer?
@12:04 PM, it went to a judge because the sluml ... I mean, property owner appealed the city's code violation notice to Hinds County courts, hoping for some kind of judicial relief or reversal.
That's weird, all the Patels I know are doctors. But I'm pretty sure everybody with the last name of Smith or Jones is an alcoholic, and every Anderson or Williams is a smuggler.
Jeff Reynolds was a pain the rear to deal with as an opponent.
I later hired him.
@1:53
I had completely forgotten all of the beer runs from Florence to Terry Road that I made in the late 90s in high school. We would by $100 worth of cases every time.
Good! They need to start on highway 80 next!
That sounds great! I hope they start this process on those slum hotels on highway 80 next
Kingfish, if we assume the hotel is owned by an LLC or corporation, how does the judge have authority to put an owner or manager in jail?
@10:49, Everybody know a good one.
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