Brother of North Chicago boy found dead in Gary given time to consider defending himself
Jeremiah Perry, seeking to defend himself in court against murder charges in the death of his 6-year-old brother, was given time by a Lake County judge Tuesday morning to think about that decision.
Perry, 20, has pleaded not guilty to eight felony counts of murder, as well as felony counts of aggravated battery of a child, dismembering a human body, conspiracy, aggravated domestic battery, concealment of a homicidal death, endangering the life or health of a child, abuse of a corpse and obstructing justice.
The body of Damari Perry of North Chicago was found in Gary, Indiana.
Damari's mother, Jannie Perry, faces the same charges as well as one felony count of failure to report the death or disappearance of a child.
At a hearing Tuesday, Judge George Strickland asked Jeremiah Perry several questions about how the legal system works to determine whether he should be allowed to defend himself in court.
After being asked whether he understood how to make a motion to suppress evidence, Perry asked Strickland if he had to answer that question right now.
"Well, you see, I'm trying to figure out your level of knowledge because if I allow you to represent yourself, you're going to be going against two very professional, experienced, knowledgeable attorneys who know all of these things," Strickland said.
At one point Perry told the judge that while he doesn't know the law right now, neither did Anthony Faretta, referring to the 1974 Supreme Court case Faretta v. California in which the court held that criminal defendants had the constitutional right to represent themselves in court.
"The law is not something you're going to be able to learn in a couple of weeks or even a couple of months. It takes years to understand the law," Strickland said.
"If you represent yourself in this case, your chances of a successful result are much, much less than if you had an attorney represent you."
In the end, Perry accepted Strickland's offer to think about his decision. He is scheduled back in court on March 4.
On Jan. 8, Damari's body, naked and wrapped in a plastic trash bag, was discovered by FBI agents and North Chicago detectives near an abandoned house in Gary.
Authorities said Damari was reported missing Jan. 5 by his mother and a sibling.
The family initially provided information to authorities indicating Damari might be missing in Skokie. But investigators discovered contradictory evidence and shifted attention to the boy's North Chicago home.
The Lake County, Indiana, coroner's office said last month Damari died of hypothermia.
The coroner's examination also found scattered discoloration of the skin on the right leg and postmortem thermal injury or charring over the body.
Jeremiah Perry remains in jail on $3 million bail, which means he would need to post $300,000 to be released before his trial.
Jannie Perry remains in jail on $5 million bail.
Another brother, whose name has been withheld by authorities because he is a minor, is being charged in Lake County juvenile court.