Jury selection continues in mayor's case

JACKSON, Miss., Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Jury selection will continue Tuesday in the case of a U.S. mayor accused of civil rights violations and weapons charges in his quest to rid his city of crime.

The case against Frank Melton, the mayor of Jackson, Miss., and his police bodyguard, Michael Recio, will be heard by a jury in the U.S. District Court's Southern District of Mississippi.

The charges stem from a 2006 raid on a duplex Melton and police made.

The Clarion-Ledger reported Monday that 30 of the 95 potential jurors reporting for duty were cut in the first day of the selection process.

The newspaper reported that U.S. District Judge Dan Jordan reminded Melton and his attorney, John Reeves, not to speak publicly about the case.

"There have been instances in the past where statements were made that walked right up to the line," Jordan said.

If convicted on all counts, the two defendants could face five to 25 years in prison.