Hinds County Chancellor Crystal Wise Martin dismissed with prejudice Clarksdale's lawsuit against the Clarksdale Press Register yesterday. Judge Martin drew national attention when she ordered the newspaper to remove an editorial criticizing Clarksdale elected officials they claimed was defamatory.
The Register published an editorial criticizing the Board after it held a special meeting on February 4 without notice to the media. The Board of Ealdormen approved a resolution supporting a two-percent sales tax increase for first responders. The legislature must approve such requests.
Mayor Chuck Espy and his merry band of malcontents did not like the editorial one bit and threw a hissy fit. They sued the newspaper and its parent company, Emmerich Newspapers, in Hinds County Chancery Court. Earlier post with history of case.
The city asked the Chancellor to issue a temporary restraining order against the Register and order it to remove the editorial from its website. Judge Martin held a hearing a few days later although it did not appear in the docket. Attorney Ed Blackmon represented the city. The defendants had not been served.
The Not-So-Iron Chancellor issued the TRO and forced the newspaper to take down the editorial. All hell broke loose in the media when the decision became known. National media such as the New York Times covered the story. Judge Martin became the object of ridicule in a Marshall Ramsey cartoon. Local media and commentators gave the Court hell. More than a few wondered why the city sued the newspaper in Hinds County instead of Holmes County. The TRO expired today.
 |
Judge Martin scheduled a hearing for a preliminary injunction for this morning.
The city filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit with prejudice Monday. Judge Martin agreed with the petitioner and dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice yesterday as she canceled today's hearing. The order is posted below.
Emmerich Newspapers owner Wyatt Emmerich said the editorial in question will return to the newspaper's website - unedited.
15 comments:
a lawyer I know had a multi day trial scheduled there. they show up with witnesses and the courtroom is locked. court had forgotten about it. they had to go home
Espy...Blackmon... Mississippi's deep state.
What a dumbshit move on all involved in fracturing the 1st Amendment.
Saw this on news. Another bunch of subpar clowns keeping Mississippi 50th in the nation.
Clarksdale government and the Judge have egg on their faces. Rather costly considering the price of eggs these days.
Green was holding a trial a few years ago. It was Friday and they broke for lunch. Green didn't appear for three hours. Everyone's waiting in the courtroom. She was shopping.
Plaintiffs want a Hinds County jury, but how long does it take to get a civil jury trial in Hinds Circuit Court?
Judge Martin really, really should have known better. Wow...
KF @ 10:02 It's that arrogance again. She could have cancelled the hearing Monday after the plaintiff's motion to dismiss and saved other people's time and trouble but she must show that the only time she respects is her own.
Good News! Bennie can direct all his attention to the USPS now….
10:02 She was obviously shopping for the people of Hinds County. Didn't you know that?
Bought the cutest shoes.
Mississippi remains at #50 one news story at a time.
"The city asked the Chancellor to issue a temporary restraining order against the Register and order it to remove the editorial from its website." A judge not upholding the constitution? I'm shocked! /s
Shopping and demanding her discounts.
There are some idiots in the Mississippi judiciary-
KF: It really took you all this much blog space to type out 'The woman realized she was recognized, nationwide, as a dummy'? Really?
Post a Comment