4.1.11: Perry Sentenced to Life without Parole for Double Homicide in Reservoir Hill
April 1, 2011 -- Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Stuart Berger sentenced Kenneth D. Perry today to life without parole plus 50 years in prison for murdering LaShawn Jordan and Kelly Bunn in 1998.
On February 8, 2011, a Baltimore jury convicted Perry, 45, of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and handgun violations for fatally shooting Jordan and Bunn in July 1998. It was Perry's second conviction for the same crime.
He was originally convicted a decade ago and sentenced to life in prison without parole plus 50 years. However, a subsequent investigation by the State's Attorney's Office during a post-conviction proceeding revealed that the original prosecutor failed to disclose exculpatory evidence to the defense. The State's Attorney's Office made the required disclosure, and a new trial was granted. The new trial ended just as the first one did.
Ms. Jordan's four-year-old daughter was present at the time of the murders. She testified in both trials, first at the age of seven, most recently at the age of 17.
"This young woman is courage personified and a true inspiration to us all. Despite all that she has endured during the last 13 years, she fulfilled her mother's wish for her to excel in school, recently earning admission and a full scholarship to college. When she leaves for school next fall, she will be accompanied, as always, by our thoughts and prayers," State's Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein said.
"I also commend my prosecutors, Lisa Phelps and Michael Leedy, for their exemplary handling of this challenging case. They were tasked with investigating the first prosecution, turning over the exculpatory evidence, and then retrying the defendant. Throughout this lengthy process, they comported themselves with the decency, probity, and high character worthy of all Baltimoreans. As a result, a very violent man will spend a very long time in prison."