We promised to give the community an update on today’s election hearing and here it is: Mayor Dupree had about 30 supporters from around the city of Hattiesburg along with a handful of local clergy at today’s election hearing. Mayor Dupree was represented by 3 attorneys—Precious Martin, Bran Jones and Percy Watson. Here are the facts: Fact #1-- Dave Ware’s attorney, Malcolm Jones, filed a motion to allow him to subpoena the cell phone records of city employees to validate his claim that city employees were working for the campaign on city time/while on the clock. However, Judge William Coleman stated that cell phone usage during work hours had NOTHING to do with the outcome of the election and was not relevant to the petition. Judge Coleman stated that the allegations of city workers campaigning on city time MAY be a violation; however, it was NOT relevant to the case at hand. Fact #2--Attorney Malcolm Jones filed a motion asking the court to grant them permission to canvass/open the ballot boxes AGAIN to make copies for trial. Precious Martin, attorney for Mayor Dupree, stated that Dave Ware’s team had already spent 5 days and many hours canvassing the ballot boxes and its contents and this would further delay the process and cost the city money due to the fact that the city clerk has to monitor this process. Again, Judge William Coleman agreed, but stated that he would allow the plaintiffs to only open specific boxes (the boxes that are in question). Which means, they will NOT be given the liberty to “search for information in hopes to find information”! Fact #3-- Judge William Coleman stated that both petitions filed by Dave Ware and Nathan Jordan would be heard by 1 jury and there will only be 1 trial! Fact #4-- Bran Jones, co-counselor with Precious Martin for Mayor Dupree, stated that petition filed by Dave Ware lacked specifications (names, dates, precincts in question, which laws were violated/broken and etc.). There were paragraphs after paragraph of allegations, but NO specifics—too vague! The judge ordered Dave Ware’s team to provide the defendant’s counsel with specific names, precincts of alleged violations and more information to allow them (the defendants) the opportunity to deny, defend and/or admit the allegations at trial. There will be another hearing on July 22nd at 2:00 P.M. and the trial is scheduled for July 23rd. Please continue to monitor this page for more updates! Remember, we are committed to keeping you informed with the FACTS!
Posted on: Tue, 09 Jul 2013 03:03:03 +0000
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