As WFTV goes on to note, Judge Perry, Jr. chose to allow the odor of decomposed organic matter as evidence in the Anthony case, which was an unusual decision and a legal first. Perry, Jr., like many others, was also surprised when the not guilty verdict was read in court. Experts testified that the smell in the trunk of Anthony’s car could have only come from the child’s body as it began to decompose, but the jury deemed that insufficient evidence to link Anthony to the crime.
Read Related Also: Lakers President Jeanie Buss Is Tying The Knot With Actor Jay Mohr
Another unconventional decision from Perry Jr. as judge in the case was to allow Anthony’s defense attorneys to present their theory of what happened to Anthony’s daughter in their opening statement. Recalling the case, WFTV anchor Greg Warmoth said, “When the verdict was handed down, I remember watching Chief Judge Belvin Perry taking his time to read the decision … He, like so many, was surprised by the verdict. Perry said it felt like time stood still, and I recall that exact feeling.”
