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I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
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MY REVIEW:
Genre | Tropes: Criminal Law, Biography, Non-Fiction
Rating: 4 out of 5 ⭐
What a fascinating read this was! I honestly hadn’t remembered the stories of the Casey Anthony trial from 2008. I was 21 at the time and living check-to-check with my husband as we started our lives together. I vaguely remember seeing the news stories and feeling outraged about the not guilty verdict, but that was also so long ago, that it’s innately buried in my subconscious at this point.
But after reading Perry’s biography, I was reminded blatantly of the stories from that time. It was really interesting to learn more about his background, what life experiences had influenced him as a person and how he ended up in the role he sat in for so many years. It was also refreshing to hear him talk about how he viewed crimes and the way in which he would approach punishments that he felt were justified for the crimes people were committed of doing.
But to have been the Judge that oversaw such a controversial case as Caylee Anthony’s death, and the media response to the outcome, must have been a marked experience for him. When he recounts how people walk up to him today and make a comment about remembering him from this case that played out more than 15 years ago, is pretty interesting. Even though he’s done so many other great things, most of America, and the world as well, remember him as the Judge that oversaw the ‘not guilty’ announcement for Casey Anthony’s trial verdict.
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After retiring from twenty-five years on the bench, former chief judge, Belvin Perry Jr., reveals a rare and disturbingly vivid first-hand perspective of the most gruesome death penalty cases in which he played a key role, including the infamous Casey Marie Anthony, who was dubbed “America’s Most Hated Mom” after her shocking acquittal.
The Velvet Hammer is the gripping, true crime memoir of former Chief Judge Belvin Perry Jr., who sentenced some of Florida’s most evil and notorious murderers to death, fulfilling his oath to uphold justice. Perry provides a clear, accurate description of America’s criminal justice system and explains why the death penalty can, and should, work and how it was applied to certain capital murder cases he either prosecuted or presided over.
Perry discusses his journey as an African American growing up in the segregated South, his life as a prosecutor and chief judge, and how he ended up presiding over one of the world’s most intriguing capital murder trials of the century: State of Florida v. Casey Marie Anthony.
From the widow who slowly poisoned her lovers; to the lust murderer who mutilated his victim while she was still alive; to the serial killer who slayed a family of four, including his own child; as well as several other violent and frightening murders, Perry spares none of the gory details when bringing each case back to life in his debut, true crime memoir.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Belvin Perry Jr.
Belvin Perry Jr. was the chief judge for the high-profile Casey Anthony murder trial. Perry earned a BS and MEd from Tuskegee University and holds a JD from Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Formerly a prosecutor, Perry became the first African American elected to the bench of the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Orlando, Florida without first being appointed. His efforts during his service included establishing Florida’s complex business litigation court, establishing a receiving center to assist those with mental illness and substance abuse, and protecting domestic violence victims. After achieving national prominence during the Casey Anthony trial, Perry retired in 2014. Presently, he is a personal injury attorney. Perry has been featured on several major media outlets, including the Today Show, Nancy Grace, TMZ, Dr. Oz, CNN,Inside Edition, Entertainment Tonight, The New York Post, Court TV, ABC News, CBS News, People Magazine, The Daily Mail, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and Good Morning America.
Perry lives by Sir Winston Churchill’s words: “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”
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