Judge says Meus can be freed on bail

WAUCHULA-- Jean Claude Meus walked out of the Hardee County jail on Friday afternoon after a Hardee County judge granted bail for the truck driver who won a new trial earlier this year after a new witness was allowed to testify in the case.

Circuit Judge Jeff McKibben set bail at $25,000 and said Meus could live temporarily with his fiance in Tennessee until the new trial begins. His fiance, Rebecca Chenoweth, planned to post bail this afternoon. Meus could be released within two hours.

The Haitian immigrant was convicted of vehicular homicide in a traffic crash that killed Nona Moore, 40, and her daughter Lindsey, 8. Relatives of the victims were among those who fought to free Meus.

He has been in prison since September 2003. On May 11, 2001, at an intersection in rural Hardee County, his semitrailer, loaded with tomatoes, collided with a van carrying Moore and her children home from a shopping trip.

In an order issued last week, McKibben found that Meus' trial attorney erred when he failed to contact an important witness, Juan Otero. Otero, among the first responders to the scene, contradicted earlier claims that Meus had fallen asleep at the wheel.

McKibben issued a stern warning to Meus to follow all the requirements of his bail.

"Don't blow it," the judge said.

"You won't be disappointed," Meus answered.

Chenoweth's sister, who drives a decorated van that says "Free Jean Claude" to every hearing, came Friday with mangos, tangelos and homemade banana bread, his favorite treats. But Friday, her signs also thanked judges for "doing the right thing."

No date has been set for the new trial. Prosecutors have appealed the decision to retry the case.

--By Abbie VanSickle, Times staff writer

Photo, above: Rebecca Chenoweth reacts after hearing her fiance Jean Claude Meus is allowed to post bail and to live and work in Tennessee with her until there is a new trial in Wauchula [Kathleen Flynn | Times]