Editorial Review: “The Velvet Hammer” by Chief Justice Belvin Perry, Jr. and Amy Mitchell

The Velvet Hammer: Judge Belvin Perry, Jr.’s Capital Murder Cases and Memoir by Chief Justice Belvin Perry, Jr. and Amy Mitchell chronicles the life of Belvin Perry, Jr. who went on to become the first elected African-American judge in the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Orlando, Florida, without being appointed. In addition to insights on some high-profile cases he had been involved in, we become privy to all the experiences that led him to be known as the Velvet Hammer. The book is a recipient of the The BREW Seal of Excellence.

Review

Judges are some of the most respected people in the world. Often burdened with the power of life and death, they play the role of God in the lives of many. Though well-revered in society, few judges gain celebrity status. Chief Justice Belvin Perry, Jr. is one of the most well-known judges, both within and outside the legal community, and made myriad contributions to the legal field and society in general. He is known as the judge who presided over the infamous Casey Marie Anthony case by most people. In The Velvet Hammer: Judge Belvin Perry, Jr.’s Capital Murder Cases and Memoir, Perry and his co-author, Amy Mitchell, present to us his journey of becoming the first elected African-American judge in the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Orlando, Florida, without being first appointed. It gives us a detailed insight into the various high-profile cases he has been involved in.  

Born in 1949, Belvin Perry, Jr. was brought up in a society that was gradually transitioning for African Americans. With the advent of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks, among others, a lot of milestones were achieved by Blacks in Perry’s youth. Even the highly segregated South, where Perry was born and brought up, was compelled to change its ways. Perry’s father himself was one of the first two African-American policemen in Orlando. A strict disciplinarian, he made sure that his children grew up to be model citizens. Influenced by his parents, teachers, and role models, Perry had a childhood that prepared him for greatness. Despite many hurdles, he graduated from law school and went on to have a fruitful legal career. Chief Justice Belvin Perry, Jr., has found himself embroiled in a number of high-profile cases right from his prosecutor days. In his memoir, he refers to various chilling cases like that of Judias Buenoano, popularly known as the Black Widow, Joseph Alan Marter, Jerry William Correll, Kirk Allen Hansbrough, and Dusty Spencer, among others. He presents us with a nuanced account of the notorious Casey Marie Anthony case. We also become privy to his thoughts on high-profile cases like the cases of Elizabeth Borden, O.J. Simpson, and George Zimmerman.

The Velvet Hammer: Judge Belvin Perry, Jr.’s Capital Murder Cases and Memoir by Chief Justice Belvin Perry, Jr. and Amy Mitchell is a one-of-a-kind book. Belvin Perry, Jr. meticulously depicts various true crime cases and reconstructs the sides of both the victims and their killers in the most impartial way possible. He even showcases the mental conditions that might have affected the murderers. The Casey Marie Anthony case propelled Perry to instant fame. He gifts us with a never-before-witnessed side of the story. We get to know about Casey’s childhood and probable mental condition. Perry gives us insights into the lives of her parents, brother, Lee, and various friends and boyfriends. He carefully unravels the web of lies weaved by Casey. Perry offers us a detailed account of the proceedings, right from the selection of the jury to the final verdict. Now retired, he offers us his own take on the prosecutors and lawyers involved in Perry’s case. We even get a glimpse into the media frenzy. I have to say I love his comparison of Casey with Judias Buenoano, the Black Widow. 

In addition to Perry’s own recollections, it is evident that the authors have thoroughly researched the cases presented. The list of sources provided at the end of the book is a testament to that. This makes the book a perfect read for true crime aficionados and researchers. Initially a non-believer in the death penalty, Perry’s years of dealing with heinous criminals changed his mind. Yet he does not impose his views on the reader. He presents his views in a manner that shows his respect for those who are against the death penalty. In fact, we learn a lot about the laws regarding the death penalty. I was especially intrigued by the concept of mitigating factors and aggravating factors. 

Through Perry’s recollections of his childhood, we get a glimpse of the South where change was gradually becoming the norm in the 1960s and 1970s. However, discrimination was still a part of the fabric of the society. Like Perry, I was overjoyed when he first got a taste of the hot dog that was previously denied to African Americans. Just like him, I am bewildered by the constant struggle African Americans still have to undergo just to prove that they are not only equal but also the same as White people. Perry’s memories of his birth mother, Rose, and his respect for his stepmother, Jesse, are heart-touching. The reverence he has for his father is awe-inspiring. I, too, admire Belvin Perry, Sr., for his resilience and immense dedication to his children. It is evident that Perry attributes his success in life to his parents, teachers, and role models. 

Overall, The Velvet Hammer: Judge Belvin Perry, Jr’s Capital Murder Cases and Memoir is a story of one man who defied all odds and became known as the Velvet Hammer who ruled his courtroom with an iron fist and a merciful soul. He still works tirelessly to make the world a better place. 

I highly recommend Chief Justice Belvin Perry, Jr. and Amy Mitchell’s The Velvet Hammer: Judge Belvin Perry, Jr.’s Capital Murder Cases and Memoir to people who are passionate about true crime stories. Anyone pursuing law or interested in legal cases will love this book. 

About the Authors

Belvin Perry, Jr. gained national recognition as the presiding chief judge in the infamous Casey Anthony murder trial. His judicial expertise has made him a sought-after commentator on major media outlets such as the Today Show, Nancy Grace, TMZ, Dr. Oz, CNN, Inside Edition, Entertainment Tonight, New York Post, Court TV, People Magazine, and Good Morning America. With a distinguished career marked by numerous death penalty cases, Judge Perry’s legal acumen and experience are widely respected.

Amy Mitchell is an acclaimed, multi-award-winning author from Canada, celebrated for her compelling storytelling. In addition to her literary achievements, she is a Family Law Attorney and a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator based in Central Florida. Her professional excellence has earned her the prestigious Elite Lawyer Award. From a young age, Amy’s passion for writing was evident, and she has been crafting stories ever since she could hold a pencil.

Book Details

• Title: The Velvet Hammer: Judge Belvin Perry, Jr.’s Capital Murder Cases and Memoir
• Authors: Chief Justice Belvin Perry, Jr. and Amy Mitchell
• Genre: Nonfiction
• Theme: Memoir, True Crime, Law, Diversity & Inclusion
• Publication Date: September 10, 2024
• ISBN or ASIN: B0D98XVXB3
• Number of Pages: 339
• Minimum Audience Age: 18

Book Themes

(Note: 0=none, 1=a few, 2=considerable, 3=pronounced, 4=excessive)

• Sexual themes: 4
• Religious themes: 1
• Violence, self-harm, etc.: 4
• Crude language, expletives, swearing, etc.: 3
• Other adult themes: 2

Rating

• Content: 5 stars
• Writing Style: 5 stars
• Appeal to Target Audience: 5 stars
• Uniqueness: 5 stars
• Editing: 5 stars
• Other factors: 5 stars
• Overall: 5 out of 5

Links

• Get a copy of the book on Amazon here.
• Get a copy of the book via Barnes and Noble here.
• View the book on Goodreads here.

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