David Ware wants judge to declare him winner of Hattiesburg mayoral election
The legal battle for the Hattiesburg mayor has taken another twist with independent challenger David Ware asking Judge William Coleman to declare him the winner of the controversial June 4 general election over incumbent Democrat Johnny DuPree.
According to WDAM, Ware’s attorneys have filed motions asking Coleman to consider the original jury verdict in the recent election fraud that ended in a mistrial on July 31.
The jury originally returned a 9-3 verdict in favor of Ware, but it changed to 8-4 when polled individually in open court. After the judge ordered further deliberations, they returned with another 8-4 vote, leading to the mistrial.
Ware led the election after the initial vote count but then trailed DuPree by 37 votes after absentee ballots were counted. The trial challenged the legality of many of the absentee ballots, which could have tilted the election back in Ware’s favor.
Mississippi Press
8/10/13
Magnolia Tribune
