U.S. District Court Judge Dan Jordan will make some pivotal rulings today regarding the federal case against Mayor Frank Melton and former police bodyguard Michael Recio, including whether the two should be tried together.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin Wednesday, but the parties will convene this morning for Jordan to rule on motions.
Melton and Recio were indicted in July by a federal grand jury following a yearlong U.S. Department of Justice investigation into their actions during an Aug. 26, 2006, raid on a Ridgeway Street duplex the mayor has said was used to sell drugs.
The indictment alleges Melton instructed a group of young men to attack the duplex with sledgehammers. In addition, Melton is accused of using a large stick to break out windows from the house. Recio is accused of participating, mostly by standing guard and conspiring to cover up the crime.
Magnolia Tribune
