Pubdate: Fri, 14 Nov 2003
Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS)
Copyright: 2003 The Clarion-Ledger
Contact: http://www.clarionledger.com/about/letters.html
Website: http://www.clarionledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805

Narcotics Chief

MELTON'S 'POSSE' RIDING HERD

Never known to be the shy and retiring type, Mississippi Bureau of 
Narcotics Chief Frank Melton is at his old, cowboy way again, this time 
with an armed posse!

A civil trial in the swimming pool death of a child at a Jackson YMCA had 
to be stopped briefly Wednesday in Hinds County Circuit Court, so Judge 
Tomie Green could consider a motion from Melton to have four members of his 
own armed MBN security with him while he testified.

Melton was a volunteer at the swim center when the drowning occurred.

Apparently, the armed, uniformed Hinds County bailiffs in the courtroom and 
armed Hinds County deputies guarding the courthouse aren't good enough for 
Melton, though they provide security for the judges and everyone else.

The trial is being televised nationally on Court TV.

Mississippians are familiar with Melton' attempts to play Elliott Ness. The 
nation just got a glimpse.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman