The fight for control of Jackson's airport will literally go to the judge.
The Mississippi legislature passed SB #2162 in 2016. The bill abolished the Board of Commissioners appointed by the city of Jackson while expanding the Board from five to nine members. The city of Jackson would appoint two members of the new Board while state officials, Rankin County, and Madison County appoint the other Commissioners.
Former JMAA Commissioner Reverend Jeffrey Stallworth sued that same year in U.S. District Court to stop the state takeover. The JMAA Board of Commissioners and the city of Jackson sued to intervened in the lawsuit. The Court later dismissed Stallworth from the lawsuit as the Commissioners and city of Jackson assumed their roles as plaintiffs.
The zombie case has lived on in federal court for nine years, including four trips to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Defendants Governor Tate Reeves and Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann asked the Court on September 2 to conduct a bench trial. The motion argued there is no federal right to a jury trial in this case. No party asked for a jury trial as required even though a jury trial is scheduled for June 2026.
U.S. Magistrate Andrew Harris granted the request September 29. Judge Harris said he will reschedule the trial.
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