Judge consults physician on Melton

The Clarion-Ledger, 12/31/8

After hours of testimony from Mayor Frank Melton’s personal physicians and mulling the decision for a day, U.S. District Court Judge Dan Jordan asked for a second opinion.

In an order issued Tuesday afternoon, Jordan asked Tupelo cardiologist J. Murray Estess to look at Melton’s medical records and give his opinion on whether putting the mayor on trial next week would pose a “substantial danger to Defendant Melton’s life or health.”

Melton and his former police bodyguard, Michael Recio, face three federal charges related to their alleged roles in an Aug. 26, 2006, warrantless raid on a duplex on Ridgeway Street Melton later claimed was a “crack house.”

Jury selection is set to begin Monday.