Bert Martin v. City of Poplarville, MS

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI SOUTHERN DIVISION BERT MARTIN PLAINTIFF v. CIVIL ACTION NO. 1:24-cv-124-TBM-RPM CITY OF POPLARVILLE, MS DEFENDANT MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER Plaintiff Bert Martin, a part-time police officer for the city of Poplarville, Mississippi, filed a lawsuit in state court against Alderwoman Anne Smith and resident Jeremiah Johnson for defamation. Around six months later, Poplarville’s Board of Aldermen declined to appoint Martin to a new part-time patrol captain position despite the police chief’s recommendation. Martin now…