Larita Cooper-Stokes
Joyce JacksonJACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
A trial is underway Hinds County Circuit Court, based on accusations of irregularities made in the Ward 3 Jackson City Council election.
Joyce Jackson who lost the race filed the suit. She claims her opponent, Larita Cooper-Stokes, had campaign workers within 150-feet of the polling place. Jackson also says poll workers called her racial slurs, and helped voters vote, which is illegal.
John Reeves, Jackson's attorney says, "We have proof of racial slurs made against her heritage, voting for people, assisting voters that should not have been assisted."
Reeves says he has a list of 30 witnesses.
Jackson lost to Stokes in a runoff election by 138 votes.
Bruce Burton, Cooper-Stokes attorney says, "As far as we know and as far as our investigation resulted, there were no irregularities."
A motion to have Cooper-Stokes removed as a defendant in the case was denied by the judge.
Stokes is the wife of Kenneth Stokes who previously held the Ward 3 seat.
Special Circuit Court Judge Richard McKenzie is hearing the case.
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