What happened to Frank Melton of Jackson MS on election day?”
Troubled mayor of Jackson, Miss., loses election, is hospitalized Frank Melton, 60, who has been indicted on federal civil rights charges, leaves his home in an ambulance just before losing his reelection bid. Associated Press 10:01 PM PDT, May 5, 2009 Jackson, Miss. — The indicted mayor of Mississippi’s largest city was taken from his home in an ambulance late Tuesday, just before losing his bid for reelection in a contentious Democratic primary, a week before his second federal trial. Mayor Frank Melton’s attorney, John Reeves, refused to discuss his client’s condition but confirmed that he was in a Jackson hospital. Melton, 60, who has a history of serious heart problems, faced nine Democratic challengers in Tuesday’s citywide primary. Unofficial results show Melton came in fourth. He had to finish first or second to qualify for a runoff. Next week, a second trial is set to start for Melton and a former bodyguard, who each face two federal civil rights charges related to an Aug. 26
Jackson Mayor Frank Melton, 60, died at 12:10 a.m. on May 7 at St. Dominic Hospital, city officials said. The mayor’s wife, Ellen, was by his side, officials said. Melton was defeated in the Democratic primary on May 5. He was found unresponsive at his Jackson home shortly after the polls closed. EMTs were able to return Melton’s heartbeat and stabilize him before transporting him by ambulance to St. Dominic Hospital. He was listed in critical condition and on a respirator until Thursday morning. Melton’s wife arrived from Texas at about 1 a.m. Wednesday, according to city spokeswoman Goldia Revies.
