tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post7142085314321301665..comments2024-03-28T23:48:08.527-05:00Comments on Jackson Jambalaya: Nothing stood in his way of getting rid of that case about Christopher ButlerKingfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06184990110961727404noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-69198126688796781522019-08-02T00:06:28.983-05:002019-08-02T00:06:28.983-05:00Butler is my uncle I have lived around these corru...Butler is my uncle I have lived around these corrupt cops and politicians it was all a set upAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-9098978904037025642017-01-06T10:32:17.287-06:002017-01-06T10:32:17.287-06:001/4 at 3:20 --
I honestly thought "discretio...1/4 at 3:20 --<br /><br /><i>I honestly thought "discretion" was something that one could use for a silly reason, a whimsical reason, or even no reason at all. Apparently, prosecutors in Mississippi only have the discretion that the court allows.</i><br /><br />Prosecutors nolle pros when, for instance, a witness's testimony is shaky. Or the witness has a lengthy criminal record. Or a cop moves out of state and can't testify. All kinds of mundane reasons. Typically, prosecutors (especially in federal court) won't <b>seek</b> an indictment unless they're pretty sure they can prove all elements beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.<br /><br />In this case, an RSS underling took the case to a grand jury and got an indictment. Then he fired her. Then he said MBN planted evidence (with no proof to this effect.) <br /><br />Then he went to see the defendant in jail, claiming him as "a client." <br /><br />Then he indicted a circuit judge and two assistant attorneys general.<br /><br />All for a twice-convicted drug trafficker.<br /><br />That's not discretion. It's corruption. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-51370754073558487222017-01-04T16:15:44.213-06:002017-01-04T16:15:44.213-06:00The law about assisting criminal defendants says n...The law about assisting criminal defendants says nothing about DA having to receive anything of value. Still simple.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-91091084517978959062017-01-04T15:20:48.372-06:002017-01-04T15:20:48.372-06:00Well, 12:38, I was really speaking about a hypothe...Well, 12:38, I was really speaking about a hypothetical case. But, since you brought it up . . . I honestly thought "discretion" was something that one could use for a silly reason, a whimsical reason, or even no reason at all. Apparently, prosecutors in Mississippi only have the discretion that the court allows. I really, really, really thought that prosecutors could pick and choose among their cases (or potential cases) based upon political considerations or their best ideas about criminal justice or based on their grandmother's favorite recipe for banana nut bread, as long as the decision didn't violate Equal Protection or rise to the level of selective prosecution. I was wrong, apparently. <br /><br />Since Circuit Court judges have the authority to oversee the use of prosecutorial discretion Herr Weill was perfectly within his rights to command the DA to memorialize the reason. I honestly don't know if RSS just didn't write down, "not enough evidence," or if Herr Weill didn't like that reason. I understood that's what RSS said in a hearing, but I wasn't there; could be wrong. <br /><br />RSS should not be a DA, but that doesn't mean he did anything criminally wrong. Herr Weill should not be a judge(in fact, HE should be the DA). Jimmy Hood should not be the AG. Ultimately everybody in this story is a bad guy. But I'm furious that they are spending so much time and money on something so stupid. And, yes, to get back to the original point, if this proof suffices to show RSS hindered prosecution then DAs across the state will have been neutered in their ability to dispose of cases as they see fit someoneinnorthmsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-88788229826542242002017-01-04T15:16:27.066-06:002017-01-04T15:16:27.066-06:00There is no crime, nor criminal activity here...ju...There is no crime, nor criminal activity here...just a bunch of foaming mouth breathers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-25352164038282537762017-01-04T13:59:17.633-06:002017-01-04T13:59:17.633-06:0012:24 Not simple because what is lacking here is ...12:24 Not simple because what is lacking here is any proof that RSS obtained anything of value in exchange for his actions toward Butler, so it may be just as likely that he's just a crazy guy who followed paranoid, unverified fantasies that Butler was set up. RSS unfit to hold his office? Certainly. Irrational? Yes. Negligent? No doubt at the very least. Guilty of a crime? Questionable at best which means a verdict of Not Guilty. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-56578467343681827142017-01-04T13:38:45.846-06:002017-01-04T13:38:45.846-06:00Didn't Smith allege that Weill was denying him...Didn't Smith allege that Weill was denying him access to the "evidence" tapes which would prove Butler's allegations against the AD and MBN? The tapes don't prove Butler's claims but RSS seems to be saying that Weill hindered HIM in doing his job. There is a major pissing contest afoot. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-13272915680032639412017-01-04T13:00:51.993-06:002017-01-04T13:00:51.993-06:00Crawl over to Donner's white board 12:07 and h...Crawl over to Donner's white board 12:07 and have her scratch it out for you. Thank goodness you aren't on the jury.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-80385278479426527492017-01-04T12:38:03.667-06:002017-01-04T12:38:03.667-06:0011:30 -
This has nothing to do with prosecutoria...11:30 - <br /><br />This has nothing to do with prosecutorial discretion.<br /><br />Judge Weill made a reasonable request of Smith: provide a written basis for a <i>nolle pros.</i> Smith refused.<br /><br />Then he attempted to indict the same judge. And two assistant attorneys general.<br /><br />Does that strike you as prosecutorial discretion? Or the action of a rational human being?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-82667674982609876602017-01-04T12:24:59.190-06:002017-01-04T12:24:59.190-06:00The bottom line here is that RSS was told by Weill...The bottom line here is that RSS was told by Weill to present the cause for the nolle pros. RSS could not, because no proof exists showing wrongdoing by MBN. Were there any evidence he would have produced the evidence before Weill and none of this would be taking place. RSS is a thug and a criminal. His actions afterward are alldirect evidence of aiding/couseling a criminal defendant. Pretty simple Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-82882825303986704152017-01-04T12:07:18.074-06:002017-01-04T12:07:18.074-06:00I hope the jury feels more competent to judge this...I hope the jury feels more competent to judge this than I feel having read about this case for some time. Wish someone could just draw a chart of what and who and where. Then they could show us what exactly was illegal. RSS could show us why he did such and such. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-87264149889410028522017-01-04T11:30:23.746-06:002017-01-04T11:30:23.746-06:00Just a hypothetical and not a comment on the stren...Just a hypothetical and not a comment on the strength of a y case against Butler: if a prosecutor dismisses a case against a defendant does that amount to hindering prosecution? Does it matter if that case has weak or strong evidence? Does it matter if the prosecutor has a previous business or personal relationship with the defendant? It seems that the AG is on a slippery slope toward taking discretion away from prosecutors. someoneinnorthmsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-20883518241244513012017-01-04T10:36:07.922-06:002017-01-04T10:36:07.922-06:00motive is not an element of any crime. its simply...motive is not an element of any crime. its simply an explanation for why a person did some act or omission. <br /><br />if you interpret that statute as one post above does, an ADA could not make a plea deal in exchange for testimony against a codefendant! much ado has been made about RSS visiting Butler in the jail, but consider this: Butler's attorney approved of it, and ADAs do visit defendants in jail when they are cooperating to prepare their testimony.<br /><br />I don't think RSS was that concerned with Butler, I think he wanted a war with MBN. His behavior is bizzare, but probably not criminal.<br /><br />The jury should let us know very soon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-84527991511846810772017-01-04T10:31:12.199-06:002017-01-04T10:31:12.199-06:00RSS is clearly unfit to serve as the DA. Hinds Co...RSS is clearly unfit to serve as the DA. Hinds County is a mess. He's not helping. Who the hell are these people supporting him? Criminals and their loved ones?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-17644883651822344832017-01-04T10:19:46.390-06:002017-01-04T10:19:46.390-06:009:21, I understand what you are saying, but way di...9:21, I understand what you are saying, but way didn't RSS simply tell Judge Weill that he thought the drugs had been planted in writing as the judge asked, to give the basis for dismissing the charges ? Why didn't RSS just hold off the prosecution of Butler until he could further investigate whether the drugs had been planted, rather than outright dismissing the charges based on the self-serving and suspect testimony of a twice convicted felon testimony ? (I would be willing to bet that many people caught with drugs claim the drugs were not theirs.) RSS was saying the drugs were planted before he ever saw the video, which by the way did not show the drugs being planted as he claimed. You note that RSS' motive was "That Butler alleged a setup and he sincerely believed it, so he wanted to investigate the culprits." So what did he do to investigate the MBN for supposedly planting the drugs ? And if he wanted to "investigate the culprits", why was he trying to indict Judge Weill and the AAGs, not the MBN officer involved ? It was supposedly the MBN agents who planted the drugs, not Judge Weill or the AAGs. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-26669723322129294472017-01-04T10:14:21.768-06:002017-01-04T10:14:21.768-06:00She is the daughter of Congressman Bennie Thompson...She is the daughter of Congressman Bennie Thompson's consigliere John Walker.<br />This tells you a lot.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-55018654914354712162017-01-04T10:13:23.944-06:002017-01-04T10:13:23.944-06:00Motive is only important when the State has one. W...Motive is only important when the State has one. When they don't, they repeat, ad naseum, they don't need one. As I posted in another thread, there was a simple yet public way to get rid of Butler's case. The only question is why didn't Smith empanel a jury and then rest without calling a witness?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-52657587099247226172017-01-04T10:08:40.444-06:002017-01-04T10:08:40.444-06:009:42 Perhaps you are right about the way the case ...9:42 Perhaps you are right about the way the case should have been handled, but the AG's felt they needed to answer the motive question, so they proceeded to try to present bribery as a plausible answer. It's not well developed and relies on tainted testimony and speculation, but they chose to open the door. Like the bloody glove, the jury will dwell on it, (like bloggers here) and if the glove don't fit ... Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-2061379822713990142017-01-04T10:04:00.911-06:002017-01-04T10:04:00.911-06:007:36 is right and asks a question I asked in a pre...7:36 is right and asks a question I asked in a previous post on another chain. If RSS wanted to fight the drug charge and dismiss it, that's one thing. But why was RSS also so intent on interfering with and fighting the prosecution of Butler on the totally separate white collar fraud charge(s), and why was RSS so mad when the sheriff/AG raided Butler's jail cell and found contraband ? Why is RSS so intent on fighting ANY and EVERY charge against Butler ? I've yet to hear one explanation of or reason for this from any of the RSS supporters posting here. <br />In the drug case, when RSS initially moved to dismiss the charge(s), all Judge Weill did was ask RSS to state in writing why the charges should be dismissed. RSS refused to do that, something very simple,and instead chose to try to indict a sitting judge for not doing what he asked, an indictment which he in his own texts admitted he had no basis for whatsoever. Why not just do what the judge asked, state why he wanted the charges dismissed and cite to his belief that the drugs had been planted ? It's very simple. As an attorney, I've had lots of judges disagree with me or rule against me, but I've never filed criminal charges against a judge just because he/she denied my motion or asked me for more information before ruling. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-35986697517683506372017-01-04T09:53:48.904-06:002017-01-04T09:53:48.904-06:00Do you actually have to have the motive for what a...Do you actually have to have the motive for what a person does if they break the law? The law is still the law, motive or just some crazy idea.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-74133333316691186402017-01-04T09:42:05.861-06:002017-01-04T09:42:05.861-06:00RSS's motive should have been excluded as evid...RSS's motive should have been excluded as evidence from the get-go. The statute prohibits his aiding a criminal defendant. It says nothing of prohibiting his aiding a criminal defendant unless and until he thinks there is a good reason. His motivation/reasoning is completely irrelevant under the statute and should never have been discussed - the only thing that should have mattered is whether he did or did not aid a criminal defendant. He defense, to the extent he had one to that specific issue, should have been that he didn't aid a defendant. There is a reason we have criminal defense lawyers, and that is to do what the DA is doing for Butler against the charges brought by the AG, and there is a reason we have a statute prohibiting prosecutors from hindering prosecution, and that is to prevent hare brained prosecutors like RSS from runnning around willy nilly and second guessing other prosecutors from other offices. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-88984894773420569102017-01-04T09:26:34.894-06:002017-01-04T09:26:34.894-06:00Solution; 1) let RSS resign as DA. 2) then he can...Solution; 1) let RSS resign as DA. 2) then he can represent Convict Butler. 3) Have a special election for RSS to get elected again. Problem solved!<br /><br />Between the DA and the allegations of our horny Sheriff, you can't make this shigity up!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-70437311807020749002017-01-04T09:21:17.206-06:002017-01-04T09:21:17.206-06:00There is no question that RSS was determined to un...There is no question that RSS was determined to undermine the efforts of the AG in regards to Butler. He doesn't deny it. That would be a slam dunk case except for one missing element: MOTIVE. If Columbo were on the case he'd still be looking for the proof before going to a jury with a half ass case. Here, the AG's office starts looking foolish trying to present all kinds of unreliable speculation they hope the jury will buy to explain why RSS did it. Everything is shaky. They even tried wiring their rat and offering the testimony of a known hustler and con man to suggest RSS may have been paid. Real shaky. In the meantime, RSS simply sticks to his MOTIVE which he has maintained from the beginning-That Butler alleged a setup and he sincerely believed it, so he wanted to investigate the culprits. Unless the AG shakes it, RSS walks. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-8547210600335385532017-01-04T08:50:29.216-06:002017-01-04T08:50:29.216-06:00Were Butler and RSS lovers?Were Butler and RSS lovers?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447438783001404385.post-91041283927233013502017-01-04T08:37:53.087-06:002017-01-04T08:37:53.087-06:007:12 --
I practiced criminal law in Mississippi ...7:12 -- <br /><br />I practiced criminal law in Mississippi for 10 years. I've never heard -- it's unfathomable -- of a district attorney being so obsessed over dismissing a case against a twice-convicted drug dealer. <br /><br />The fact that he (a) visited a defendant his office indicted in jail, claiming to be his lawyer; and (b) actually tried to indict a circuit judge and 2 assistant attorneys general in an effort to halt prosecution is telling.<br /><br />Is it "proof?" No, but it's certainly circumstantial evidence that raises all sorts of red flags. Your characterizing this as a week case ignores much. <br /><br />And I was around Shuler Smith when he was a defense attorney, around the '04-'05 time frame. Personal observation: the dude was erratic and borderline unbalanced then. Not proof either, but I'm not shocked that he's engaged in this bizarre behavior on behalf of a defendant who's a two-time felon. <br /><br />Because a district attorney's job is to prosecute criminals. Not, in other words, to indict judges and AAGs in an effort to set criminals free. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com