St. Martinville Mayor Melinda Mitchell and her husband are in the news again after a fire at their home.
They’re facing scrutiny because of what her husband said to a police officer who responded to their home. KATC Investigates obtained a copy of the St. Martinville police body cam audio.
Sunday night, a St. Martinville officer arrived at the Mitchells’ home and approached Lawrence Mitchell, the Mayor’s husband. The officer said, “We hot a phone call about your fire.”
Mitchell said, “Who called? Who called over there?” The officer responded saying, “I don’t know who called.”
The officer explained to Mitchell that it is illegal to burn trash inside city limits.
The officer said, “You’re in violation of city ordinance.” Mitchell said, “So, what you’re going to do? Give me a ticket?”
The officer proceeded to issue Mitchell a summons and asked for Mitchell’s id.
Mitchell said, “Man, I got no id, I can’t find it. Give me a ticket.”
Mayor Mitchell eventually stepped in to calm her husband. She’s heard saying they’ve been burning trash for so long, they didn’t realize it was illegal.
Her husband said, “This **** is getting out of hand, bruh.”
The officer said, “Listen, I have to do my job. I have to do my job.” Mayor Mitchell told her husband, “He’s doing his job, don’t worry about it. That’s fine.”
When the officer called for the fire department to extinguish the blaze, the Mayor’s husband again cursed at the officer and said fire fighters were not allowed on his property.
Mitchell then tried to use his wife’s rank on the officer.
“That’s no respect to her,” said Mitchell. “She is your boss.”
The Mayor said, “Babe, don’t worry about it. Just sign the citation.”
Earlier this year, Lawrence Mitchell was arrested after being accused of violating a protective order filed by a city councilman.
Last September, Mitchell made headlines after a city employee was arrested for allegedly moving his truck from a handicapped zone without permission. Charges against the employee were dropped.
We reached out to Mayor Mitchell and she said she will not discuss the fire.
