Airport president wins on appeal

By By Suzanne Monk / managing editor
July 27, 2004
The president of the Meridian Airport Authority was cleared, on appeal, of petit larceny charges Monday in Clarke County Circuit Court.
Tom Williams' original misdemeanor conviction came in Clarke County Justice Court after a complaint filed by his estranged wife, Sharon Williams.
The incident that led to criminal charges occurred in late December 2003, just before a scheduled hearing about the couple's divorce in Lauderdale County Chancery Court.
Sharon Williams charged that Tom Williams entered her business, Kid Zone in the Clarkdale community, and made photocopies of financial records. She filed misdemeanor petit larceny charges and her husband was found guilty in June 2004 by Justice Court Judge Tobey Bartee of Clarke County.
Tom Williams appealed and Circuit Judge Larry Roberts overturned his conviction Monday.
Tom Williams' attorney, Joseph Kieronski of Meridian, said today that his client does not deny entering the business after hours and making the photocopies but said that's not a crime.
Mississippi's petit larceny statute requires that the defendant be found guilty of feloniously taking, stealing or carrying away personal property valued at less than $500 with the intent to permanently deprive the victim of the property.
Photocopying records, Kieronski said, does not satisfy the definition.
Sharon Williams said Monday she is considering appealing Roberts' decision. If she does, her appeal will be filed before the Mississippi Supreme Court.
Even if she doesn't, the couple will meet each other again in divorce court. In that matter, both of Lauderdale County's chancery judges have recused themselves and Chancellor John S. Grant III has been appointed to hear the case.