Found this hiding on my hard drive today. Although this happened quite a while ago, for some inexplicable reason, I saved it.

I don't think Mr. Perry's actions were well received by the jury. When Perry was sentenced to three consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole, he "dozed off." Should have moved for a change of venue to CA, I guess. :p

Hey, when 'ya gotta' go, 'ya gotta' go.

Here's an excerpt:

Latin Kings defendant urinates in courtroom -- The astonishing action of George Perry diverted attention from the day's business -- closing arguments in the street gang's racketeering and murder trial.

KAREN LEE ZINER Journal-Bulletin Staff Writer. Providence Journal - Bulletin, Providence, R.I. Copyright Providence Journal/Evening Bulletin Apr 04, 1997

As the federal murder and racketeering trial of six Latin King members neared its end, defendant George "Animal" Perry disrupted a prosecutor's closing argument yesterday when he stood up, turned his back to the jury, unzipped his fly and urinated on the courtroom's gold carpet.

Within seconds, federal marshals surrounded, then handcuffed him. One agent opened a telescoping baton but did not strike Perry. Judge Mary M. Lisi ordered: "Clear this courtroom."

Earlier, Perry had thrice requested permission to use the bathroom: Lisi sent word that since prosecutor Gerard B. Sullivan was nearly finished, and "we are all adults," Perry could wait.

"Mr. Perry, your behavior today can only be described as deliberate and contemptuous, not to mention juvenile," said Lisi, before banishing Perry to a courthouse cellblock for the remainder of Sullivan's closing argument.

Perry's lawyer, John F. Cicilline, stated that the incident occurred at 12:10 p.m., one hour and 40 minutes after Sullivan began his argument.

"He told the court two times he had to go to the bathroom," Cicilline said of Perry. "The third time he sent a notice that it was serious."

But Lisi said Sullivan had informed her during a bench conference that he had 10 minutes or less left to his argument, and at that point, she sent word for Perry to wait.

"But then," said Lisi, "he urinated on the floor of this courtroom." She called his behavior "outrageous."

Arguing that Perry's action would taint their clients in the jury's eyes, four of the other five defense lawyers requested mistrials or severances in their cases. Lisi denied those requests.

After lunch, Lisi allowed Perry back in. "I would like to apologize to your honor and everyone else in the courtroom for my disrespect," he said. "I will maintain myself."

"You can be assured if you do so much as cross your eyes or look the wrong way," Lisi said, "the marshals will take you out" of the room.

When court recessed for the day, a clump of brown paper towels marked where Perry had urinated on the carpet.

Asked if he believed Perry's action might hurt his case, Cicilline said, "Of course I do. Of course I do. But I hope they can rise above it."

Had any of his clients ever done such a thing in his decades of practice?

"No," Cicilline said.

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