John Reeves, the attorney for Jackson Mayor Frank Melton, is questioned by media as he enters the courthouse Saturday morning. (Chris Todd/The Clarion-Ledger)
Jurors in the federal civil rights trial of Jackson Mayor Frank Melton and former bodyguard Michael Recio have been released until Monday after spending more than five hours today at the courthouse without deliberating.
U.S. District Judge Dan Jordan said the day was spent dealing with an “issue” that required him to interview each juror individually. He did not elaborate.
He said lawyers for both sides have until Monday to file motions.
Before releasing the jurors, Jordan repeated his standard warning not to discuss the trial with anyone and to stay away from media reports.
The defendants, defense attorneys and prosecutors have been in Jordan’s chambers all day.
During a brief break, Melton’s attorney, John Reeves, said he could not discuss what was going on.
“It’s going to be a lot longer. A lot longer. It could be days,” Reeves said.
Reeves would not say what the issue was, saying he had been instructed by the judge to keep quiet.
Jurors were scheduled to resume deliberations at 9 a.m. today. They began deliberations late Wednesday afternoon.
They periodically have been seen outside the courtroom but always in the presence of federal marshals.
Melton and Recio stand accused of violating federal search and seizure laws. The charges stem from a warrantless raid on a West Ridgeway Street duplex carried out by the mayor, Recio, former bodyguard Marcus Wright and several young men on the night of Aug. 26, 2006.
Melton has tried to justify the raid, stating he believed the duplex was the site of drug use and sales.
Melton, 59, and Recio, 39, face up to 25 years in prison if convicted of all charges.
Blair Goldstein and Chris Joyner • Clarion Ledger Staff Writers • February 21, 2009
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