In THE VELVET HAMMER: Judge Belvin Perry, Jr.’s Capital Murder Cases and Memoir, former Chief Judge Belvin Perry Jr. and co-author Amy Mitchell offer readers a first-hand glimpse into Florida’s most gruesome death penalty cases, including the infamous trial of Casey Anthony. Drawing on his 25 years of experience, Perry provides an unflinching account of presiding over some of Florida’s most notorious death penalty trials while making a compelling case for the continued use of capital punishment in America’s justice system.
The book opens with Perry recounting his improbable journey to becoming the first African American elected to the Ninth Judicial Circuit bench in Orlando (without prior appointment). Perry then outlines his upbringing in the segregated South, where his Father’s mantra of “Nobody can define you. You have to define Yourself” became foundational to his approach in life and behind the bench: “His words were the sword I used to fight against adversity and pierce through a changing society. They became the shield I would use to hide from the things I could not control. Roadblocks turned into stepping stones.”
From there, Perry dives headfirst into some of his most noteworthy cases. He discusses prosecuting Judias “Judy” Buenoano, the infamous “Black Widow” killer, and describes attending her execution in 1998: “Judy kept her eyes closed, unwilling to give any of us the satisfaction of seeing fear in her hollow pupils.” Perry also details his role in sentencing eight of Florida’s most “depraved and diabolical” criminals to death, including Jerry William Correll (for the brutal murders of his ex-wife, young daughter, and former in-laws).
While THE VELVET HAMMER is heavy on details and legal procedures, the book is more of a page-turner than one might think. Perry’s conversational tone and vivid recollections feel more in line with what you might discover in a top-shelf podcast. For instance, when discussing the infamous Casey Anthony trial, Perry offers a sobering take on what is arguably the highest-profile event of his career: “If I were to write my own obituary, there would be no mention of the Casey Anthony murder trial.” Despite his presiding over the “trial-of-the-century,” according to Perry, “It takes a lifetime of work and dedication to define a man, not just a single event or case.”
Perry’s memoir is more than just a collection of true crime stories; it’s also a thought-provoking examination of our criminal justice system through the eyes of someone who has been on its front lines for decades. He doesn’t shy away from the moral complexities of capital punishment, instead engaging the topic head-on and inviting readers to consider the issue from multiple angles. Capital punishment is understandably a divisive topic, and Perry’s stance on the death penalty may not convince all readers. That said, his arguments are well-reasoned and grounded in some pretty extensive first-hand experience. Even those who ultimately disagree with his conclusions will likely find value in his insider perspective on high-stakes criminal proceedings.
Part true-crime case study, part long-odds memoir, Judge Belvin Perry, Jr. and Amy Mitchell’s THE VELVET HAMMER: Judge Belvin Perry, Jr.’s Capital Murder Cases and Memoir offers readers a gripping and insightful window into the world of capital murder trials, challenging them to grapple with the complexities of justice in the face of unspeakable crimes.
~James Weiskittel for IndieReader