It’s been some 17 years since I underwent the crushing crucible of the Mississippi justice system, being found guilty of the crime “fraud OR embezzlement” in the misuse of my county-issued car. It’s a strange charge that appears to defy Mississippi case law that no defendant should suffer a charge in the alternative. Even District Attorney Forrest Allgood initially voiced disagreement with it. Yet I refuse to let such a conviction define me or break me in self-pity because I know what the truth is now as I knew what the truth was then, my serving some three weeks in jail, notwithstanding.
Odd it is that there were so many cases far more egregious than mine that never sounded a courtroom floor. I think of Kirk Fordice, who while governor drove across the state line into Tennessee and wrecked his Jeep under questionable circumstances and was never investigated, least of all prosecuted. Haley Barbour misused the state plane and was only asked to repay the fuel cost. There are others, many others.
And then there is the peculiarity of the prosecution only looking into my driving my vehicle to a casino resort, never when I’d visit a golf course.
But I digress.
In granting the expungement of my conviction, which allows me to vote, own firearms and even run for office again, I would like to thank District Attorney Scott Colom and Judge Howard. It’s not an exoneration or overturn, but it’s the next best thing, giving me a new lease which allows me to start over on a clean slate, to any extent I am able.
I tell you, folks, honor welcomes a masculine burden without which a man is only a shell of his best version.
The words of Rudyard Kipling come to mind: “….if you can watch the things you gave your life to broken; stoop down and build them up again with worn out tools…yours is the earth and everything in it, and which is more, you’ll be a man, my son.”
Jim Terry
Columbus
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
