Jackson Jambalaya

These are the photos from the Myspace page of Mr. Michael Taylor, Frank Melton protege, as reported by WAPT (http://www.wapt.com/news/13583070/detail.html). Although 17 years old, he has lived a life filled with adventure, and well, also alot of trouble. Young Mr. Taylor was reported by the Clarion-Ledger as being "held in the Hinds County Detention Center in Raymond since Nov. 18, 2006, when he was arrested on a carjacking charge while on bond for a previous armed robbery charge." (http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007706250343) Such a nice young man as I'm sure he is just completely misunderstood. He also was one of the youths that Mayor Melton directed to take sledgehammers and destroy the infamous "crack house" on Ridgeway Street in Jackson last year. WAPT further reported that Mr. Taylor "had 15 criminal charges as a juvenile, including carjacking, drug possession and burglary."

After Mr. Taylor carjacked the victim, he was reported to have threatened her family according to WAPT: "The victim's sister said in court Friday that she text messaged her sister's cell phone -- which was still in the car -- and told the driver to call her and return her sister's vehicle. She said that within five minutes, a man who would say only that his name was Michael called her and demanded $300 to return the vehicle. "He threatened to have sex with me and hurt my children and husband and kill us if I got the police involved," she said.
Taylor was taken into custody on Nov. 18"

Taylor was arrested on the carjacking charge by the way, not because of JPD's efforts, but because the victim knew someone that was an agent at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries who caught the Mr. Taylor when he tried to sell the car back to the victim (dumbass). It was also reported that in the CL article that the Mayor stated the Taylor lives with him "off and on". What does this kid do, just float around from safe house to safe house?

Last week saw Mr. Taylor slipping through the cracks and despite this violent history, was released from jail on the carjacking charges while no one exactly knew how it happened. Interesting. Its funny how when something unsavory happens no one ever claims responsibility. Mayor Melton told the Clarion-Ledger that Taylor no longer faced the carjacking charge and that he now has a job working for the city and that the he is also keeping a close eye on Mr. Taylor. The District Attorney's office said the charge still stood (Hmmm...Melton lying, imagine that.). Apparently what happened was the armed robbery charge was moved to youth court by Judge Yerger. Since the charge was placed in youth court, Mr. Taylor's bond revocation was reversed and he was released. Mr. Melton also stated in the WAPT interview that pressure was being placed on the youth court. Really? What kind of pressure? Pressure to do what? That statement begs for further explanation.

It is no surprise that Mr. Melton is covering up and supporting young Mr. Taylor as this is not the first time he has done so. The Jackson Free Press reported earlier this year that when there was an outstanding warrant for Mr. Taylor's arrest over a year ago, Mr. Melton went out of his way to help Mr. Taylor avoid capture by the police:

"In many ways, Taylor, now 17, is a typical Melton mentee. He grew up near Wood Street and wasted no time getting in trouble with the law. He and his friend Fredrica Brunson—also known as Jermaine Butler, the head of the controversial Wood Street Lawn Service—were accused of armed robbery at Headliners Barbershop on Dec. 4, 2005. Authorities issued bench warrants for their arrest, but they could not be found.

It turns out that Taylor was living—or hiding out—in the mayor’s home at 2 Carter’s Grove, a place top police brass and Melton’s detectives regularly frequented.

The JFP then reported that when charged with carjacking:"When he was arrested, Taylor gave his home address as “2 Carter’s Grove.” Soon after the JFP reported the arrest, Judge Swan Yerger revoked his bond. Taylor is still in jail awaiting trial on the charges." http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=13313_0_9_0_C

So if he robs someone, no big deal, he stays at the Mayor's house and rides around in the POLICE mobile command center. If the Sheriff tries to arrest him for it, the Mayor takes him away and assures us he "took care of it." Um, Mr. Mayor, that is what we call aiding and abetting. It seems that as Mr. Taylor comes more and more under Mr. Melton's influence, he gets into more trouble. Since he began hanging around Mr. Melton he has gone from burglary and drug charges to armed robbery to carjacking to extortion and threats of murder and rape. In fact, the only reason he has not been a threat to Jacksonians is because he has been in jail, not living with the Mayor.

One must also ask exactly HOW young Mr. Taylor got those guns and WHERE was he when these pictures were taken. Were these photographs taken at Mayor Melton's house during one of those "on again" periods?

The criminal justice system in Jackson has broken down yet again and put another violent criminal back on the street. However, we have nothing to fear as Mayor Melton, who does not even restrain the thugs in his own house from terrorizing the rest of us, assures us that fighting crime is a priority in his administration.


One last question: Who paid for Mr. Taylor's bond?

Update: See related story at: http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2007/07/media-coverage-on-jacksons-youngest.html.