TEXAS CITY — Parents of a man who was hogtied, beaten, choked and drowned gave their son’s murderer a piece of their mind Friday after a judge sentenced him to 40 years in prison.
Alice Rodgers and Ferris Bell told the court their wishes for William Henry Perry, 50, in the April 12, 2008, slaying of Gary Wayne Bell.
“I hope he dies in jail,” Rodgers said on the witness stand in Judge John Ellisor’s 122nd District Court in Galveston. “I hope everybody involved is haunted by every move they made of every second of the killing of my son.”
A jury convicted Perry of murder Oct. 27. Perry’s co-defendant, Brian O’Neal Richardson, 28, could stand trial early next year.
While in a Texas City hotel, Bell was beaten and tortured with a restraint, which was repeatedly tightened around his neck, depriving him of air, according to court testimony.
Gary Bell, 39, was released from prison on a drug charge and sought the services of a prostitute, Mary Jowers, who said Bell raped her and refused to pay.
Jowers testified she drove to Galveston with her boyfriend, Richardson, to dump Bell’s body, which was found floating in Galveston Bay.
Perry, who testified in his punishment hearing, proclaimed his innocence when Ellisor asked him if he had any legal reason why he should not impose sentencing.
Perry will be eligible for parole after serving half his sentence, Prosecutor Larry Drosnes said. He was given credit for time served since his April 14, 2008, incarceration.
“Evil will prevail if decent human beings do nothing,” Rodgers said, paraphrasing Edmund Burke. “And our jury did something. I thank God in their finding Perry guilty.”
Rodgers will miss playing the drums with a box and wooden spoon as her son played his guitar.
“We had fun-filled afternoons,” Rodgers said. “I’m going to miss that so. All of us have struggles. Gary had a golden heart and a love for people.”
From the witness stand, Ferris Bell looked at Perry.
“You’re going to have a lot of time to think about what you’ve done here,” Ferris Bell said. “I’m glad you got 40 years. I wish it could have been more. Hopefully, we won’t see you in 20 years.”
