Braddock News Briefs

Braddock Librarian convicted of stealing book from mentally ill man; Judge throws out decision

By TRACY JOHNSON
The Braddock Times

Braddock, TX. A librarian accused of swindling a mentally ill man outof a $10 book and stealing $70,000+ while he was hospitalized for psychiatric care was found guilty Thursday of theft.

A Braddock County jury took about two hours to convict Joseph Paul Paynter, 36, for his part in an alleged scam by librarians at the Braddock County Public Libary in Braddock, Texas. The jury agreed that Paynter stole the book from Billy "CityD" Huffman, 63,through deception, taking advantage of his troubled mental state in what one juror called a sad commentary. "It always amazes me how man can treat his fellow man," juror Mark Knowles said afterward.

Jurors also found that Huffman was a vulnerable victim, which allowed prosecutors to seek a longer sentence than the usual maximum of three months in jail for first-degree theft. "This closes one chapter of a very sad set of circumstances at the Braddock County Public Library," Deputy Prosecutor Tim Leary said. In July 2006, Huffman, who now works at BCPL as Texas Collection Supervisor, arrived at the Braddock County Public Library wearing soiled clothing and bought a discarded book, a Polk City Directory, agreeing to pay a higher than normal price with a pile of $100 bills stuffed in a plastic bag. Prosecutors say Paynter's colleagues heard the mentally troubled man bragging about having more cash at home, so several groups of them went to his apartment to steal it. Paynter and two men accused of taking $70,000 from a dresser will face trial in January. Paynter became involved when the book was impounded and Huffman called the library seeking help. Paynter paid to get the book back and agreed to hold it for Huffman, who by then had been committed for psychiatric care.

Paynter drew up contracts giving him power of attorney over Huffman and brought them to the hospital. Huffman agreed to pay Paynter $15,200 to hand over the book, but he was hospitalized and didn't come up with the money in time. Paynter transferred Huffman's property into his name.

After the verdict was announced Thursday, Paynter said he didn't know what to say about the jury's decision. His friend, Jonathan OliverBlair III, said, "We're disappointed, and we're not done yet." The allegations against Paynter and the other two, Antonio "Da Crunk" Davis and the Rev. Dr. Bishop Curtis Eldorado Lowe, have been blamed for the scandal at the Braddock County Public Library and are at the center of a lawsuit against BCPL director Kelly Millis.

The money was to be put into a trust for Huffman, who now lives in a group home. However, at the last possible moment for a legal maneuver, Judge William J. Jennings acquitted all three of any wrong-doing, and allowed them to keep their "rightfully gained earnings." Jennings also ordered Braddock County to pay the three "wrongfully accused" men $325,000 each for pain and suffering.

In other news at the scandal stricken Library, with the promotion of Inez Mitchell to Library Operations Manager after the retirement of Liz Bien, an interim head of the Research Services Division has been named. Marilyn Krakowski has been named the interim head. The new position carries more responsibility but no increase in pay. Krakwoski said she is happy to have the "opportunity for such a prestigious position at such a prestigious institution. I have a very big seat to fill." Off the record, Krakowski was quoted as saying "I was such a fool." Krakowski has been at the library less than a year and passed over several co-workers, most notably Karma McCarthy, a seven year part-time employee and John Thehut, a 13 year veteran. The library also announced the resignation of Librarian I Chad Folsum, who took a position at nearby Solie Public Library as a Librarian III.