Death of a Street-Gang Warrior

Abstract

When applied to someone serving life in prison, there is irony in the saying “sometimes one must die in order to live.” It has been more than three and a half decades since the murder trial that marked the beginning of my civic death. At 19, I caused the death of a rival gang member during an altercation. Apart from the shock of discovering that I knew the victim’s mother when she took the witness stand, I had been emotionally detached throughout the entire trial. As a teenager, I had been so invested in my status as a gang leader that the risk of death or long-term incarceration seemed insignificant. I did not pause to seriously reflect on my outlaw mentality until the sentencing hearing following my trial. The hearing judge read from my file:

The psychiatric and pre-sentence investigation indicates trouble started at the age of 15. He had seven arrests as a juvenile from the age of 15 to 17….[Charges included] aggravated assault and battery, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, disorderly conduct and vandalism. On 10–17–71, still at the age of 15, assault and battery, breach of the peace, disorderly conduct. The next month, larceny of an automobile, receiving stolen goods, conspiracy…When he becomes an adult at the age of 18, he has five arrests, three convictions and one sentence…The psychiatrist said he acts impulsively.…and has given little indication that he is either able or willing to adjust favorably and acceptably to society. Education history: Perry did not adjust well to school.