Earlier this afternoon, David Perry, the only suspect in the disappearance
and probable murder of Kelly Rothwell, was sentenced to 4-12 years in prison
for the unrelated crimes of felony grand larceny and fraud. These charges
stemmed from a Work-Comp related fraud case from 2003. Perry had claimed
back in 2003 that he was injured in an inmate-related scuffle when he
was a Corrections Officer at Elmira Correctional Facility in Elmira, New York.
Several people who worked with him at the facility testified that Perry faked
his injury and then bragged about how he had beaten the system.
At that time, Perry was able to obtain his New York state pension as well;
because the fund that pays the pension is in Steuben County, New York, Perry is
facing the same charges there too.
Steuben County DA Brooks Baker is still waiting for an appeal on a ruling
that the search and seizure of Perry’s assets earlier this year was negated. Baker
wants the seizure of assets to stand as proof of Perry’s ill-gotten gains from
his fake injury.
Perry has also been collecting Social Security Disability. There is no
information as to whether SS is investigating him at this time. But one would imagine
that he obtained the SSID benefits based on the Work-Comp related assessment of
injury. If those charges have been negated, then one would assume that his SS
Disability will also be discontinued and Perry prosecuted for falsely claiming
an injury. Ruh Ro…… With the government involved, could federal charges apply?
What does this do for Kelly Rothwell’s case? Perhaps while in jail and contemplating
the rest of his miserable life, David Perry may feel compelled to confess. Does
anyone think that he will last at LEAST 4 more years in a jail cell without feeling
the compunction to make a possible deal?
Unfortunately most sociopaths have no conscience
and Perry exhibits a great of sociopathic characteristics. He is a narcissist,
an abuser and a user. He is also very smart. But it looks like his ‘smarts’
failed him this time, thanks to the tenaciousness of
both the Broome County and Steuben County DA’s
office, certain New York state troopers (who ROCK btw) and the brave men who
stepped forward, even under threats, to testify against him. There is no need
to mention their names; they know who they are and their part in this
conviction. At least now they can feel safe, knowing Perry won’t be roaming the
streets.
Lauren Rothwell, Kelly sister, said this; “I’m just glad he’s off the
streets. I feel better knowing that he’s going to stay in jail. But this is not
justice for Kelly, its justice for the state of New York. Justice for Kelly
will happen when it happens; when he is prosecuted for her murder. All this
does is gives everyone more time to work on her case. He’s in jail where he
belongs; he’s not in jail for Kelly but I have faith that that will come in
time.”
Nancy Rothwell had this to say of today’s sentencing;
“The family and friends of Kelly have been so grateful
that he’s been in jail for the past two years; he’s been off the streets and
can’t hurt anybody like he did my daughter. He is harmful to society. I really
want to thank all of the prosecutors and police who have given so much of their
time in their efforts to get him convicted. I’m glad that the state of New York
has been able to keep him behind bars for the crimes he committed in New York
because that had given me some small measure of peace of mind.
That’s been over two years of his life that’s
been taken away, that he’s lost. While that can’t bring Kelly back, I’m
grateful that he’s suffering like he made her suffer.
And if or when he is ever released, you WILL
hear his name at some point in news because I can’t imagine someone that evil
would just fade away … sooner or later someone else will be harmed by his
actions.”
This is a small but significant victory in the efforts to find out what
happened to Kelly Rothwell.
The longer her killer sits in jail, the longer we have to find her and bring
her home.
Mayor -Elect Rick Kriseman became the official mayor of St. Petersburg as several hundred people stood outside on the street in front of City Hall in downtown St. Petersburg Thursday morning. It was the first time a mayor had been sworn in outside in a public venue. Kriseman said that he wanted the ceremony to be accessible to all who wanted to attend; the City Council chambers only have the capacity to seat 125. There were many, many more than that cheering Mayor Kriseman on as he took the oath of office.
