by Cris Italia
You know when your son doesn't call you after an accident, it's bad, Candice Stark said. Adam had been with his college buddies, Edward Perri, John Behan and Vinny Ribaubo. Whether they knew it or not, Perri was driving under the influence of marijuana. Perri made a bad decision trying too make a left turn from the right lane, and was broadsided by another vehicle. Police said Perri was traveling at a high speed.
Nine months later, Perri pled guilty to vehicular manslaughter and was given two consecutive sentences of 2-6 years. On the day of his sentencing, Perri tried to gain sympathy from Judge Donald DeRiggi, but there was none. We were very surprised, Candice said. I thought is was a done deal, but he was trying to get his sentence reduced.
The Starks weren't pleading for more time, they just wanted justice. We were just going along with his plea bargain. He agreed to it, why was he trying to get out of it? Candice questioned.
As the Behan family pleaded with the Judge for a generous sentencing, Jeff Stark expressed his feelings. You have handed my wife, my daughter and I a life sentence.
Some felt his statements during the sentencing were too harsh. He has to be accountable, and he has to accept responsibility, Jeff Stark said. Although law does not allow a suspect to have any contact with a victim or a victim's family, the grieving father said Perri should have done more to reach out to them. He sent me a letter through his attorney and apologized, Stark said.
As each month passed, the Stark family never received a phone call from the Perris expressing any sorrow nor did they pay their respects at Adam's funeral. It was as if no one had acknowledged their loss, they feel. Maybe we would have felt differently if there was contact, Candice said. Certainly the Starks respected the opinions of the Behan family, who did not want Perri to receive any jail time, but they only wanted what he had agreed to.
No one can erase the tragic loss of Adam Stark or John Behan, but the grieving process is not over. We are living every parent's worst nightmare, Jeff Stark said. As a family, it just took the passion from us.
His family describes Adam as adventurous and full of compassion. It didn't matter who you were, he was always so thoughtful, especially around the elderly and little children, Adam's mother says.
Adam graduated from Oceanside High School and had started Nassau Community College, where he scored a 3.59 grade-point-average in his last semester. He never got to see his grades, his father said. He was looking forward to taking summer classes. Adam wanted to pursue a career in hotel management.
He would have been great in that field. He had that kind of personality, dealing with people, Candice Stark said.
In his memory, the Stark family has created two charities in his name. The Adam Stark Memorial Fund was created in conjunction with the Beth Shalom Oceanside Jewish Center. He was so involved with them and he was continuing his Hebrew School, his mother said.
The second is the Adam E. Stark Memorial Scholarship Fund. The scholarship will go to qualified candidates who are graduating from Oceanside High School and planning to attend Nassau Community College.
As for Perri, one day he will come home, something the Stark family can't say about their son. After several attempts to contact Edward Perri's attorney, Fred Annabelle, the Herald's calls were never returned. It was mentioned throughout the trial that Perri would one day speak to others about the dangers of driving while intoxicated, and the Starks feel he should dedicate his life to it once he is released. He should do that. He has to do it, Jeffrey Stark said. We should also be promised that his man is never allowed to drive again.
