Updated Irony

As we sit here awaiting a verdict in Jackson Mayor Frank Melton's trial, here's little more on the irony of Frank sitting next to attorney Cynthia Stewart, who is representing Melton's co-defendant in this federal trial. You will recall the last post was a little vague about the details of Frank going after Cynthia when she was defending accused individuals such as himself.

Well, thanks to astute reader and Google power searcher Rogen Chhabra, here are the details, refreshed now in my mind by this AP article:

RESTRAINING ORDER SOUGHT AGAINST MBN CHIEF JACKSON ( AP ) - An attorney who claims she is being harassed by state Bureau of Narcotics Director Frank Melton for representing an alleged gang member wants federal court protection from arrest, court documents show. Melton has publicly said he planned to arrest a Jackson attorney in connection with the recent drug-related gang arrests. On Monday, he declined to say whether Cynthia Stewart was that lawyer or on what charges the lawyer would be arrested. Stewart filed her motion last Thursday in U.S. District Judge William Barbour's court. In the motion, Stewart says Melton is using the threat of arrest to harass and intimidate her and interfere with her representing Marcell Martin. Stewart "is facing irreparable harm from the threat of imminent arrest, business interruptions and damages to her reputation and good will," according to the motion. Barbour has ordered a hearing on the motion for Friday. "None of the other people we put in jail had a restraining order," Melton said in an interview with The Associated Press. "It seems like the rules change when you get to a certain level." Messages left at Stewart's office Monday were not returned. Martin, 27, was one of 15 people recently arrested by narcotics agents for allegedly running a drug operation in downtown Jackson. He was charged with cocaine distribution and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Melton said the lawyer he was targeting took the statement of a man who had been kidnapped and beaten by alleged gang members who were attempting to force him to claim weapons seized in the arrests. Melton said the man was in protective custody. In a sworn affidavit dated Aug. 19, Stewart said she took statements from three witnesses after the arrests, one of whom answered questions concerning seized firearms. She said her activities were under the normal practice of the law. MBN agents during the arrests seized two .357 Magnum handguns, a .32-caliber revolver, two SKS assault rifles, a .308-caliber rifle, marijuana and several rounds of ammunition, according to the search warrant.

So then MBN chief Melton was trying to get Ms. Stewart arrested for doing her job as a good attorney and now rolling over and playing dead for the new sheriff in town. I am afraid this story illustrates, again, Melton's "end justifies the means" attitude toward crime fighting and pretty much anything Melton wants to do. "I'm putting these criminals away. Why would anyone oppose that? I don't need no stinkin' trial or pesky Constitution." He is genuinely amazed that he can't do whatever pops into his head at the moment. Reminds me of a certain Texan recently retired from government service.

A few final irony thoughts. Cynthia went where when Frank was acting the fool? Federal Court. Which is now the scene of more Melton troubles. And although the two defendants have somewhat diverent intrests and defenses in this matter, I understand that Cynthia is doing the heavy lifting as far as jury instructions are concerned, so her skill is helping the dude who went after her for exhibiting that same skill and diligence for others.