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Cancer brings case to quick end
By Ludmilla Lelis | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted April 8, 2004
DAYTONA BEACH -- The family of Ophelia Perry, a retired teacher who was slain three years ago, thought her accused killer should pay for the crime with his life.
But instead of the death-penalty trial that had been scheduled for April 19, Derrick Willis pleaded guilty to her murder in a court hearing Wednesday that was scheduled after it was disc
vered that Willis has an advanced stage of cancer.
"Yes, we fought for the death penalty. My mother's life is worth that," said Perry's daughter, Abigail Perry-Adeniji. "Obviou
sly
God supports that, too."
Willis pleaded guilty to first-degree murder
, armed robbery with a deadly weapon and armed burglary, and Circuit Judge S. James Foxman sentenced Willis to life in prison. According to doctors, Willis has multiple myeloma, a blood-based cancer that causes lesions in the bones. He has six months to two years to live, doctors said.
The 41-year-old Daytona Beach man has felony convictions dating back to 1986 that include armed robbery. Willis knew Perry because she was the grandmother of his son, who is now 15. In April 2001, Willis was released from prison on parole.
Perry, who was 77 years old and had taught in Volusia elementary schools for 32 years, tried to help Willis, remembered her daughter. "Her life was a fruitful life, and she always bel
ieved in people, even him," Perry-Adeniji said. "She had invited him to the house just prior to this. My mother was helping him with his relationship with his son."
However
, Wi
llis
admitted t
o coming to her home on May 29, 2001, stabbing Perry several times in the neck and hitting her h
ead. He even struck her with a paint can, splattering the white paint all over himself and her kitchen and leaving the bent, empty paint can behind, investigators said. After her slaying, he smoked crack cocaine with fellow addicts, who noticed the paint stains, investigators said.
His attorney, Tom Mott, said private investigator Veronica O'Malley found out about the terminal illness while reviewing Willis' jail records and helping Mott prepare for the death-penalty case.
Wednesday's hearing, during which the family heard Willis apologize, gave Perry-Adeniji a sense of closure. "This case came to fruition and the reason for the punishment was announced. It was not swept
under the rug," she said. "Mrs. Perry rests in peace now."
Ludmilla Lelis can be reached at llelis@orlandosentinel.com or 386-253-0964.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/...adlines-volusia
Cancer brings case to quick end
By Ludmilla Lelis | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted April 8, 2004
DAYTONA BEACH -- The family of Ophelia Perry, a retired teacher who was slain three years ago, thought her accused killer should pay for the crime with his life.
But instead of the death-penalty trial that had been scheduled for April 19, Derrick Willis pleaded guilty to her murder in a court hearing Wednesday that was scheduled after it was disc
vered that Willis has an advanced stage of cancer.
"Yes, we fought for the death penalty. My mother's life is worth that," said Perry's daughter, Abigail Perry-Adeniji. "Obviou
sly
God supports that, too."
Willis pleaded guilty to first-degree murder
, armed robbery with a deadly weapon and armed burglary, and Circuit Judge S. James Foxman sentenced Willis to life in prison. According to doctors, Willis has multiple myeloma, a blood-based cancer that causes lesions in the bones. He has six months to two years to live, doctors said.
The 41-year-old Daytona Beach man has felony convictions dating back to 1986 that include armed robbery. Willis knew Perry because she was the grandmother of his son, who is now 15. In April 2001, Willis was released from prison on parole.
Perry, who was 77 years old and had taught in Volusia elementary schools for 32 years, tried to help Willis, remembered her daughter. "Her life was a fruitful life, and she always bel
ieved in people, even him," Perry-Adeniji said. "She had invited him to the house just prior to this. My mother was helping him with his relationship with his son."
However
, Wi
llis
admitted t
o coming to her home on May 29, 2001, stabbing Perry several times in the neck and hitting her h
ead. He even struck her with a paint can, splattering the white paint all over himself and her kitchen and leaving the bent, empty paint can behind, investigators said. After her slaying, he smoked crack cocaine with fellow addicts, who noticed the paint stains, investigators said.
His attorney, Tom Mott, said private investigator Veronica O'Malley found out about the terminal illness while reviewing Willis' jail records and helping Mott prepare for the death-penalty case.
Wednesday's hearing, during which the family heard Willis apologize, gave Perry-Adeniji a sense of closure. "This case came to fruition and the reason for the punishment was announced. It was not swept
under the rug," she said. "Mrs. Perry rests in peace now."
Ludmilla Lelis can be reached at llelis@orlandosentinel.com or 386-253-0964.