Page 14 - 6-26-15 Friday's Edition

Features
After Serving 23 Years For Murder:
Tampa Man Released From Prison After Appeal Granted
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
About 23 years ago, Ronald Pressley, Jr. es- caped from a work released program, then shot and killed 19-year-old Alert Perry in the Ponce de Leon Public Housing Complex.
Perry, a former football star at Leto High School, re- portedly shot Pressley, Jr.’s car with a water gun at a block party.
Authorities said the two had developed bad feelings for each other before that inci- dent, but no one expected it to escalate to violence.
After the shooting, police said a group of Perry’s friends found Pressley, Jr. at a home in West Tampa and pistol whipped him.
Pressley, Jr. was sen- tenced to 40 years for shooting Perry three times in the back, 20 years for being a felon in possession of a gun and 3 years for escape. Prosecutors said Pressley, Jr. wasn’t sup- posed to be eligible for parole until at least 2032.
However due to a screw up in his sentencing, Pressley, Jr. was released on June 4th to
RONALD PRESSLEY, JR. .....released after serving 23 years in prison.
the shock of Perry’s mother, Cheryl McCarter-Perry.
Since the crime took place, Ms. McCarter-Perry and Pressley, Jr.’s father, Ronald, Sr., had become close friends, with Pressley, Sr., occasionally giving her haircuts at his home.
Ms. McCarter-Perry
said when she found out her son’s killer had been released early, she was shocked and angry.
“I’m not angry at Ronald, Sr., but I am upset that I was- n’t told he was getting out early. I think this is disrespect- ful to all of us that we weren’t told.
“After all we’ve gone through as a family, and now for this to happen makes us feel like justice wasn’t served for Albert’s death.”
Last year, Pressley, Jr. appealed his sentence alleging he should not have been sen- tenced as a habitual offender.
The State Attorney’s Office investigated and found out that Pressley, Jr. was right. He had a criminal record, but the charges from previous crimes were not serious enough to classify him as a ha- bitual offender.
Judge Kimberly Fer- nandez resentenced Press- ley, Jr. and he was released after being given credit for the more than 20 years he had al- ready served.
“I want to know why I was- n’t told about the resentencing so I could have attended,” said Ms. McCarter-Perry.
State Attorney’s Office spokesperson, Mark Cox said the reason Ms. McCarter- Perry wasn’t notified is be- cause the Department of Corrections said they couldn’t locate a family member.
“I’m just going to put it all in God’s hands right now,” said Ms. McCarter-Perry.
ALBERT PERRY .....gunned down days before he was to report to college.
“There’s nothing else I can do.”
Pressley, Sr., who for the first time in 23 years has all three of his sons home with him, said he has no comment
right now.
“I’m just going to help my
son readjust after being locked up for 23 years.”
Candace Donaldson, Albert’s cousin, helped him get a scholarship to attend Texas Southern University, and said she remembers going to court with Albert’s mother when he got into trouble.
“I made an appeal to the judge to allow him to attend college, and the judge agreed with me.
“The night he was shot, we had all told him to not go any- where. It was only minutes later I got the call Albert had been shot.”
Although Perry was only 19 years old at the time of his death, he was the father of 6 children.
Elks Organization To Host Annual Veterans Seminar
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
The Improved Benevolent Protective Order Elks of the World, District Sixth Veter- ans Affairs Department will host their annual seminar on Saturday, June 27, 2015. The Seminar will take place from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., at the Springtime Elks Lodge #592, 1011 Engman Street, in Clear- water, Florida.
James Ferguson, MBA, Disabled American Veterans, will serve as the guest speaker for the event, along with other benefit staff members of the VA will be on hand to answer veterans’ questions. The staff will also help Veterans com- plete forms for receive bene- fits in which they qualify.
Lucious Bonds, Direc- tor of District Six Veterans Af- fairs Department felt the need to reach out to veterans who may not be aware they are en- titled to benefits.
Daughter Ann Jenkins
said, “When he learned that there are 40% of the homeless veterans are African Ameri- can, or at risk to be homeless, he decided to bring as many veterans as he can together with the DAV and the VA to see if we can get help for them.”
Daughter Jenkins and Daughter Jennifer Lee are two other members of the District Six VA Department.
Daughter Jenkins, in Tampa, and Daughter Lee, in Clearwater, are working in the community trying to gather up veterans and get them the support they need.
Daughter Jenkins fur- ther said, “Those of you who are reading this article and who knows a veteran, please
DAUGHTER ANN JENKINS
tell them about it. Getting their benefits is very impor- tant, it makes a big different. Women who have husbands who are veterans may come and learn as well.”
Daughter Lee said, “How do you know that you are a veteran? In general most military members use U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) eligibility criteria to determine which veterans can access service.
“Eligibility for VA benefits is based on discharge from active military service under other than dishonorable con- ditions. Benefits vary accord- ing to factors connected with the type and length of mili- tary service.”
Daughter Jenkins said there will be a van on the 27th of June to pick up fifteen men and women who are veterans and provide them with trans- portation to attend the semi- nar in Clearwater.
Anyone in need of a ride to attend the seminar can con- tact Daughter Jenkins at (813) 770-3411. The seats will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.
The group will meet at the Elks lodge at 10 a.m., at Columbus Drive and 29th St. Lunch will be served.
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PAGE 2-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2015