The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, October 05, 1981, Page Page 2, Image 2
Editorial
Kerry (iuilty
At about 3 p.m. Saturday, E>onald Ray Perry, convicted
in the murder, rape and kidnapping of USC education
professor Mary Heimberger, faced the grim realization1
that a 12-member Richland County jury didn't buy the.
fictitious tale that Perrv's friend should he nnnished for
those crimes.
The man who had remained silent and gentlemanly the
entire trial, banged his fists on the defense table and
screamed at Solicitor James C. Anders. Almost seven
months after his actions, Perry finally could no longer
shun responsibility. It was time that the person described
as "cnild-like" pay a price for taking the life of another.
1 PERRY'S DEFENSE was shoddy to begin with. He
admitted to the murder in the beginning, contracted
tz.i/1 : ?*: 1.? t 1: ?
amnesia, uicii tuiu an iiuagiiictu vc aiui y ui iyui(( iu puuct;
from the beginning so they wouldn't hurt his wife. During
those seven months of talking with attorneys, he said he
remembered the true events of that night. It became clear
to him after a shot of sodium amytol that a friend named
Larry Deloach had forced Perry to rape the woman.
Perry then lied, saying Deloach raped the woman and
lrill?*ri hor kimcolf
ruiIAVM IIVl IlliaiOVli. I
Perry was calm and collected on the witness stand this I
week. He was convincing. He told every detail with having y
anything conflict and led many people to believe that it
was Deloach who had committed the heinous crime.
Perry's family members did the same. They tried to do
everything in their power to protect Perry but after all the
eviucuize was uruugru in, auer me arguments naa Deen
made and the witnesses sat down, the 21-year-old stood
alone.
THERE HAD been those times in the past when committing
robbery or stealing a purse meant Perry blaming
his older brother. And this time, it was pinning the guilt on
a man he met only three weeks before the murder. Donald
Ray Perry never could admit to doing anything on his
own. Despite his age, he wasn't really a man.
The friends and family of Mary Heimberger no doubt
will get little consolation from the trial. In fact, they'd
probably much rather forget the whole matter. The
hideous deed was done long ago. The trial just brought
hurt, bad memories but fortunately, justice.
Those who knew her best knew Mary Heimberger had
no reason to hurt anyone. She was a shy, nervous person
who was frightened easily. She did her work, went to class
and was deeply devoted to teaching. When people sit down
to reflect on the situation, they'll wonder why a woman
who was so defenseless could be subjected to such bar
baric violence.
THAT'S WHY it's so important to remember Dr.
Heimberger exactly as she was: a fine educator, and ideal
person and a giving individual. She passes from us with
the realization that she was remarkable woman.
For Donald Ray Perry, memories also stick with us. His
savagery has been partly rewarded. Now the jury will
decide whether he will receive the death penalty. We can
only hope the 9 women and 3 men who decide his fate will
IMxp in niiitu evcryuiing uiey ve neara mis pasi weeK.
Then maybe justice really will prevail.
1
a -n tr ti rs rM
U-jft^AVlJziUUUxv
University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C.
Founded 1908
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j
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see toft that
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Editorki
TO THE EDITOR:
Your editorial of October 1
(4'Stop Sol Blatt"), only
confirms my suspicions
about the irrationality of the
Gamecock policy. The
"essay" was irresponsible
and the charges unfounded. I
u/nnlH lilrp tn nnint nut a few
r""" ?
of the more relevant facts
surrounding the case.
First and foremost,
Soloman Blatt was the
defense attorney and not the
judge who passed sentence.
Under our current system of
justice, the defense attorney
is charged with the
resDonsiblitv of provision of
Clarios
ivi nit, KunuK:
On September 15, I attended
a poetry reading
sponsored by the
Clariosophic Society. Like
the other guests, I anticipated
a stimulating, yet
soher nresentation of our
I students' poetic efforts.
Inasmuch as the actual
reading is concerned, I was
not disappointed.
I However, the membership
of the Clariosophic Sceiety,
u,, '"U^w /
1 r
that toy clot
ArA ularm flr
I M> ^ ill vii
land secure,] She
? Letters To
il's Accusc
the best defense available to
him. The light sentence is an
idictment of the justice who
passed judgement and, more
broadly, the judicial system
itself. Unless the Gamecock
is privy to information of
which I am unaware, Mr.
Blatt was well within his
4 ethical bounds to deliver
an "empassioned plea for a
lighter sentence." It appears
that the Gamecock editorial
staff has established itself as
judge and jury over the
actions of Mr. Blatt without
ever attending the trial. Who
thinks they are "just a step
under God, Gentlemen?
ophic Clov
as if unaware ot the
audience, engaged in a
seemingly endless display ot
parliamentary ritualism.
This procedure, or lack of
Droorietv therein, was
characterized by giggling,
wise-cracking, and countless
insufferable "witticisms."
Unfortunately, it set the tone
for the whole evening, and
the poetry was reduced to a
~:a: :
puBiuuii ui stt'unuuiy importance.
Had these
members been alone, their
L.J a o11 ?1
pIrsu i aiuquun
id , 1 news ao
iterea I ttKeti car
I of...
The Editor
itions Urn
AS TO THE allegations
that Mr. Blatt is some sort of
mentally incompetent
anachronism who has
nothing further to offer the
state or society, I would
suggest that the successful
defense of Stewart and Hair
only demonstrates the legal
capabilities of this man. Mr.
Blatt has served the state
well for fifty years. As
Soeaker of the Hoiisp nf
Representatives, he guided
South Carolina through
difficult transition periods
without incident, a feat with
which few Southern
politicians are credited. He
vns Ruin I
conduct would have been
merely idiotic. As it was,
however, innocent persons
were subjected to it, thus
malrincf it fantlncc on/I
AlltUlltlllg It l4?ViiW0 OllU VI
fensive, as well as idiotic.
POETRY IS a sublime and
delicate literary form to be
nurtured respectfully, and
not to be dragged through
the chaos of a sophomoric
peanut-gallery. If such selfindulgent
behavior is typical
of the Clariosophic Society,
then those who wish to
participate in readings
I
Sfiiiri! *!
S MORE I
|
- &
Founded
has demonstrated a genuine
concern for the well-being of
uiv uiii * i/i oivjr aim uic emu c
state educational system. As
an alumnus, Mr. Blatt has
used the means available to
him to further the aims of his
alma mater; Carolina
should feel honored to count
him among its ranks. It is a
shame that a man who has so
unstintlingly demonstrated
his concerns for the state
and universitv should h?v<?
to endure the slings aand
arrows of irresponsible and
unknowledgeable youth.
CARL YOUNG
Ph.D. Candidate
GINT Department
leadina
-J ,JP
should seek some otner
means of sponsoring their
activities. Perhaps a more
reputable organization on
our campus could sponsor an
occasional poetry evening,
or an interested faculty
member could obtain a large
classroom or a room in the
Russell House once a month.
An ad in the Gamecock could
be used as the invitation to
mpmhprshin
LARRY BAGWELI
Graduate Student
Comparative Literature