By Cris Italia
On May 26, 2001, Perri and three friends were involved in a fatal car accident that left two dead and four people injured. Perri was driving his 1998 Honda Civic on Merrick Road in Baldwin when he attempted to turn left onto Grand Avenue from the right lane. According to police officers, Perri had been traveling at a high speed when he was broadsided by another vehicle.
Perri of Oceanside later admitted he had been under the influence of marijuana, and he was charged with two counts of manslaughter in the second degree. Even worse, Perri's two friends Adam Stark, 19, and John Behan, 17, both of Oceanside were dead.
In court, a tearful Perri addressed the family of his slain friends. I can't imagine your pain. I am truly, truly sorry.
Judge Donald DeRiggi said to Perri sternly, Tell me what you want about how sorry you feel, but it's too late. DeRiggi refused to give Perri a lightened sentence, calling him a murderer. Despite protests from the Behan family, the judge stuck with the stern sentencing.
It will not help us, said Behan's mother while crying. It won't make us feel better or fix anything. She stated that Perri would do much more if he could speak to children about the danger of driving while under the influence of drugs instead of serving a prison term.
Perri's charges of manslaughter in the second degree were reduced to vehicular manslaughter. Perri's lawyer, Fred Annabelle, could not be reached for comment.
