Legal fees may be court issue

The Clarion-Ledger, 6/22/7

A court most likely will decide whether the city should pay the legal fees for Mayor Frank Melton’s two police bodyguards, both recently acquitted of charges that they committed crimes while on duty.

Though the city historically has paid the legal bills of police officers cleared of criminal charges brought against them while on duty, there isn’t enough support on the City Council for reimbursement.

Marcus Wright is seeking $30,000 for his attorney, Robert Smith, while Michael Recio wants $20,000 for his attorney, Winston Thompson III. Both bodyguards, along with Melton, were acquitted of felony charges in April.