I Would Find a Girl Walking (28 page)
Read I Would Find a Girl Walking Online
Authors: Diana Montane,Kathy Kelly
October 12, 1985
Another boring weekend again. But I have my stereo to help me out.
Please help Paul get a visit set up, cause he wants to come up. I would appreciate it Kat.
Doesn’t it seem funny—you got sick and went into the hospital for a week, and I got my ear infection at the same time? That’s how it used to be at home with my mother and I. One would get sick and the other would follow.
Well, I am waiting for your line of questions. I am ready with pen and paper. Again, I apologize for getting wound up about Yvonne. Forgive me Kathy.
One question Kathy, have you listened to Aretha Franklin’s new song, “Freeway of Love?” That is one of my favorite songs right now along with ZZ Top’s “Legs.”
If you get a chance, catch them on the radio. If I had a phone—I would have Bob Mitchell (I-100 FM) play them for you.
Waiting for your letter,
Yours truly,
Jerry
P.S. Don’t forget to look at the box of stuff Paul has of mine. See you soon—
I now wince at the thought of him identifying me with his mother. I was young at the time, but I suppose that, unknowingly, I satisfied that nurturing need he had, and a need for acceptance he never received from women.
October 21, 1985
Kathy,
Hope you had a safe trip, even with all the rain. Besides, have a safe trip for the two weekends you go out of town.
Here is the best I can do with the questions you ask about.
Well, I had just been fired from the Burroughs Corporation in Paoli, Penn., and I wanted to be alone for a while. So, I got into my 1973 Plymouth Duster: (green over green with avenger 60’s and slotted disk mags, 3 speed on the column, and a beautiful stereo system. It was also jacked up in the back with air shocks.) I made it as far as Holly Hill Plaza, where I wanted to buy a few tapes for my car. While in the parking lot, I saw a Duster’s hood up, and thought I would help. It turned out to be a young lady with a Duster like mine, but only an automatic. Hers was blue on the bottom with a white vinyl top. She had a dead battery, so I took my jumper cables and gave her a jump start. I told her I would like to make sure she was charging the battery alright, and to let me drive her car for a few minutes. Her motor had a slight knock coming from it, which didn’t sound right to me. So, I locked up my car, and we drove off in her car.
It seemed to me she liked the way mine looked. But hers was a mess though. We talked for a while, then she started to act a little strange. Like she was nervous, and then asked, “When are we going back for my car?” I believe at that time I hit her with my right hand, and said something like, “If you do what I say, you won’t get hurt.” By that time, I was in a place I wasn’t familiar with. She was also complaining a lot at that time, and was getting on my nerves. I stopped the car, and then tied her hands and feet together with either rope or something like that. I then choked her till she passed out I thought, and I carried her from the car. I’m not sure if I had sex with her before this happened. Maybe, maybe not.
When I left her, I believe I covered her like the others were, I’m not sure though. I then thought, I have to leave Florida, and get back to Pennsylvania. My car had slipped my mind till I got to Georgia. I got as far as Valdosta, Georgia, and left her car in a motel parking lot. I went back to the interstate and thumbed a ride back to Florida, and got in my car and left for Pennsylvania.
I had stated first that Sammy Henderson was with me during this ordeal. Well, he wasn’t at all. It was all fabricated about him. You see, we went to Junior High School together here in 1965. We were friends at one time but his parents would treat me very nasty. They bought him everything he cried for, no matter the cost. That really rubbed me the wrong way from the start.
I really felt nothing about Sammy getting arrested, cause I already had 75 years mandatory. Besides, I hated him, I wanted him to suffer like I did.
But later, it started playing on my mind—why should I involve someone else when I was alone for the murder. I also said that I was staying at his parents’ motel while I was down here then. That also was fabricated too. It was just to get even with Sammy after all these years.
Kathy, as I said before, it’s not easy to remember everything to a tee. I know you have copies of the confessions I wrote for Paul, and it makes me wonder why you want me to relive all of these homicides again? But for you, I will. Nobody else as far as I am concerned. You have my full cooperation, as you know.
Well, my parents were up Sunday. Everything went pretty well. Dad seemed in good spirits too. They know nothing of what we are doing, which is good. I am still waiting for the paperwork from up north, I told you about.
See you soon—write when you get a chance.
Yours—
Jerry
Why had he implicated Sammy Henderson: because Sammy had the sort of family life he longed for, and envied?
October 29, 1985
Dear Kathy,
Hope you had a nice weekend. Mine was the same thing, except my parents weren’t up. Next weekend for them. If you wonder about the new paper, I buy it from the canteen. That way I can use both sides of this.
Well my contact up north said there was no way to locate the files from before my parents got me. So I am back to square one again. And still wondering what the answer is.
Got a letter from the judge last week. He has appointed an attorney for my two Volusia Cases for Executive Clemency. I should be hearing from this attorney shortly, as I wrote him, and told him to get a hold of my attorney from Brevard County. That way, they can work together in the same issue together.
I thank you for your opinion on that subject. I had plenty written down, but threw it all away after I read your letter. By the way, I’m going to make you something for Christmas, Kat.
I am waiting for Paul to come up. He and I have a lot to catch up on, and there are a few questions I want to ask him.
It may sound funny, but I would like to have a copy of the book when it is finished. I would like to see how you put everything together, and what Paul had to say. Hope you don’t mind, Kat.
I’m still waiting to hear who is working at the 7-11 store in Daytona.
Sorry it took so long to get an answer to your last questions of the Bauer case, but I wanted everything just so. If you saw my notes as I write them down, you couldn’t make anything out of them. That is why I rewrite them twice.
I saw that Dr today my attorney had appointed. Gave me a battery of tests to do, plus wants to have a brain scan. (EEG)
Guess I will make myself a cup of coffee, and relax with the stereo.
Kat, the next time you come up I am going to show you a picture of Yvonne and my ex-wife. That is, if you don’t mind. Even Paul hasn’t seen the picture of Yvonne. You will be the first.
I’m waiting for a letter before I mail this one. Bye for now Kat. Be good.
October 30, 1985
Hi again Kathy,
I am a little worried tonight. Got a letter from my mother saying she put her back out. It’s very painful for her and she has to take Soma pills for the spasms. Sounds like she won’t be able to come up Sunday. Hope she feels better. But that used to happen when I was out, and it usually lasted about 2 weeks.
Bet you are busy at work these days. Don’t let me interfere with your work, Kat.
I just finished a baby blanket for my neighbor. Light blue, pink and white. Looks cute. I made a little hat to match for the little girl too.
Looks like I won’t be playing volleyball for a while. I twisted my ankle today. Very painful right now and it is swollen twice the size it should be.
Well, I will mail this tonight. Write when you get a chance. But remember, work first, me later.
Respectfully,
Jerry
November 3, 1985
Kathy,
Got your letter Friday.
I am up early today cause my parents are coming up today. Sure hope my mother’s back is better. I’ll find out, if they come up.
Well, you asked about a good topic.
I was arrested on April 1st, 1980, and was brought to Daytona Beach Police Dept., where I met Paul for the first time. It was a very trying time for me. I didn’t know what was going on. Here I was, handcuffed in front of my employer and co-workers. When I got to Police Headquarters I was a nervous wreck. Here I was, taken upstairs to a room where I met Paul. He saw right away that I was very upset and to the limit of going out of my mind. He was considerate and asked if I wanted a cup of coffee. That made me take a different look at Paul. He started some idle talk about something, and I picked up on it. After about 4–5 hours of questions, I was being booked for Murder One.
Before being taken to the jail, I took Paul to where I put a body behind the airport. Little did I know, that was the beginning of the end of me. All during this, Paul was like a person I could talk to, and confide in. I didn’t look at him like a policeman. I saw him as a real person, who cared what happened to me.
There is a side to Paul I saw that really knocked me out. You never want to cross Paul at any time during an investigation. Especially if he is leading the whole operation. You see, you have a Det like Paul, and then you have Bozos out there, and you also have Blockheads. The difference is very noticeable. The Bozos are: always having talks with their bosses, and are real timid to ask questions. They have their bosses ask the questions. Then comes the blockhead. These idiots think they can make you talk. Plus, if someone else (a Det) starts and heads an investigation, these idiots try to take the bull by the horns. Little do they realize whom they are hurting. Then these whackos try and pick you up on their own, and hi-jack you to their counties and say, “You can’t call this or that person.”
Whenever Paul had me in his office and I was in his custody, I was allowed to send mail out, talk to my parents on the phone, and also have visits with my family. Plus, receiving small packages from home, cause he knew who was buying and bringing them to me. Paul is a person who will work and help you.
All of the people I met have told me, “You’re crazy to have trusted a cop.” That’s them. Not me. I wasn’t like that. They never hurt me, so why should I not trust them? I have been honest with Paul, and he has been honest with me.
Besides, Paul and I have a rapport nobody understands. We can joke around, or be serious, and if we are in the presence of a Bozo or Blockhead, we know it.
The reason I decided to be honest and tell of the murders is this:
I had taken a trip up to Pennsylvania to hopefully find my ex-girlfriend and ask her to marry me. But I was too late. She had gotten married and that really hurt me. Besides that, I was divorced, and no girls wanted me. They always had their reasons why they didn’t want me. So, I came back down to Florida, and tried to hold jobs, but never could. If a girl went and looked at me twice, I would ask her out, and get turned down. Then, the day came when I was arrested for Aggravated Assault and Battery. That there was the turning point for me. Got everything off my chest at that time. Here I thought everything was done with, but never really gave the thing any thought till I was on Death Row. Then, everything hit me at once.
Some of the guys say I should of stayed up north, moved to another state, or anywhere but stayed here. I thought I would never get caught, and everything would be alright. But it didn’t work out that way at all. To be honest with you Kat, I’m scared. But I can’t show it, cause I’ll get ribbed by the men here.
There was two (2) times I thought I was seen. I was really scared one night I was seen. I took a round about way home, and finally figured out that I wasn’t being followed. But it put a good scare into me. The next time I was drinking after it happened, and was scared cause I thought someone had followed me all the way home. It took me about 2 hrs to figure out no one had followed me. But a girl I knew came knocking on my door, and got me all nervous again.
As for the question, “What made me kill and kill again,” I can’t really answer that, except like this. I would be drinking, and lonely, and thinking about all the couples having fun together, and here I am single having no fun at all. Then I would go out riding around, and I would find a girl walking, and hopefully she would get into my car, but she would end up making some kind of remark about my weight, music or looks. That would turn me into a different person altogether. I really don’t like to talk about that person, cause it gets me very upset. But for you, Kat, I will. Cause you want to know everything. Other people have tried, but to no avail on their parts.
Kathy I can tell you one thing. I would trust Paul before any other Det. I have been around plenty and have seen how they work. They went as far as to promise me a steak dinner with all the trimmings. That one person did keep his promise too. Took me to a Steak Restaurant along with Paul. I had everything from salad to dessert. Plus, they took the handcuffs off me for this also.
Paul and I thought this person was kidding, but he was serious. This is how some Dets say “Thank you for clearing my books.” But Paul is entirely different. He will put his cards on the table, and hold back a few. Then, the other person puts his cards on the table. Then, you discuss what has been put in front of both of you. But you never share your last card. They think I have turned all of my cards over. I have held a few back Kathy. Because, two people can play a card game. And, they have to make a very good offer if they want my cards totally turned over.
Maybe they could care less about what I have card wise. But, it would really turn some heads if they knew what it is. I will convey these cards only, at the right time and place. It will do no good trying to find out what it is, cause they won’t come out till the right time.
Besides, everyone is entitled to some privacy of his or hers.
Well, I hope this answers your questions about Paul. If I need to elaborate some, let me know.
See you soon—
Respectfully,
Jerry
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