Did Jackson Mayor Frank Melton break the law when a man's home was destroyed with sledgehammers? That is the question Hinds County District Attorney Faye Peterson said her office is investigating.

Peterson said the possible charges against Melton could carry a punishment of more than twenty years in prison. While this probe is just beginning, the
Jackson City Council will not get involved.

In what appears to be a four to three split, the Jackson City Council decided in executive session not launch its own investigation.

"Don't dump it in our laps to sort through. We are the legislative branch of the government, not the Gestapo," said Ward 1 Councilman Ben Allen

"We, as council members, have a responsibility to see that lawlessness does not take over our city," said Margaret Barrett-Simon, Ward 7 Councilwoman

Witnesses claimed Mayor Frank Melton and a group of young men riding in the mobile command center destroyed a Ridgeway street home with sledgehammers after 45-year-old Evans Welch was arrested on drug charges.

If these claims are true, Hinds County D.A. Faye Peterson said it constitutes felony malicious mischief, even if the mayor never touched a sledgehammer.

"If you encourage someone to do it, you aid, abet, or facilitate it happening, you can be charged with a felony," said Peterson.

A conviction carries a maximum five year prison sentence. Some witnesses claimed juveniles helped destroy the home and that opens the mayor up to even more charges.

"If the individuals who used sledgehammers were minors, then he could be charged with a felony for directing a minor to commit a felony, which carries up to 20 years," said Peterson.

The D.A. said she has received complaints and has an obligation to look into them. If the evidence proves a felony has been committed she said the case will be presented to a grand jury.

Peterson said this is not just about the mayor. Those who attacked the home could also be charged, as well as any police officers who watched this happen and did nothing.

"If you are required to enforce the law, and you see someone breaking the law, then you are aiding and abetting them in commission of doing something wrong," said Peterson. "We expect our law enforcement officers to stop crimes not to watch them occur."

Mayor Frank Melton still maintains he knows nothing about what happened to the home.