A Lamar County jury convicted Richard Dee Perry of Assault Family Violence with a Prior Conviction on May 20, 2021. Perry was present for jury selection on May 19, but failed to appear the next day for his trial. He was tried in his absence in accordance with Texas law.
After finding the defendant guilty, the State presented the jury with Perry’s previous convictions, including two prior domestic violence offenses and multiple prison sentences, as evidence in the sentencing phase. The jury sentenced Perry to 55 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Lamar County Assistant District Attorney Kelsey Doty said, “I am very pleased with the jury’s verdict and sentence. Mr. Perry has been victimizing the citizens of Lamar County with his criminal behavior for over 25 years, and this sentence shows that this type of repeated behavior will not be tolerated.”
Lamar County District Attorney Gary Young added that he was “thankful to the jurors for their service. They clearly worked very hard and considered all the evidence in reaching their decision. Their sentence of 55 years for the defendant will help keep the county safe.”
Perry will be formally sentenced when he appears before Judge Tidwell.
