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A man convicted in the 1984 murder of a gas station attendant will not get the death penalty. A jury recommended a life sentence without parole.
Last week, a jury convicted Glenn Howard Griffin, 51, of first-degree murder in the death of Bradley Perry. He was bludgeoned and stabbed to death on May 26, 1984.
The victim's family asked for justice. The defendant's family asked for mercy. Today, a jury granted both.
Lee Perry, the victim's brother, said, "This decision today is what Brad would have voted for, so it really is Brad's verdict."
That verdict has been a long time coming for the family of Bradley Perry. His sister, Nanette Perry Wharton, said, "I don't think any of us ever thought it would come in this life."
Perry was 22 years old and about to be engaged to Laura Boyd Hill. She and Perry's mother, Claudia Perry, said there was relief, but no closure.
Today, a jury deliberated for two hours to decide his fate. Defense attorneys said Griffin was remorseful. Defense attorney Randy Richards said, "He's certainly happy that this was the verdict and not death."
The case stumped police for two decades. Then a few years ago, DNA on a dollar bill, collected 20 years ago, tied Griffin to the crime.
After the murder, Griffin pretended to be an attendant and gave the bill to two men. Perry Wharton said, "Nobody even knew about DNA when Brad was killed."
The family said the advances in technology allowed this day to happen. They had encouraging words for other families involved in unsolved cases.
Perry Wharton said, "Every family has that same opportunity that we have, so they need to hope, just like we do."
Lee Perry agreed. He said, "You can't give up hope. Hope is there."
A judge will formally sentence Griffin on Dec. 3.
A hearing for Wade Maughan, the second man charged in the crime, is scheduled for January.
E-mail: syi@ksl.com
