Trial Begins for Man Accused of Photographing Senator’s Wife

CANTON, Miss. (AP) — The trial of a political blogger who shook up last year’s Senate election by photographing U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran’s bedridden wife opens Monday in Madison County Circuit Court.

Clayton Kelly of Pearl was indicted last fall on charges of conspiracy, attempted burglary and burglary.

Kelly is alleged to have photographed the late Rose Cochran in April 2014 without permission in a nursing home and posted her image online. Investigators have said conspirators intended to use images of Rose Cochran to advance allegations that her husband, the senator, was having an inappropriate relationship.

A local newspaper reports the witness list Includes Sen. Cochran, Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler and state Sen. Melanie Sojourner.

Thad Cochran won re-election while 73-year-old Rose Cochran died in December after suffering from dementia for years.