I now believe he began to view my visits as “dates,” since he wanted us to be able to buy snacks from the machines.
December 15, 1985
Dear Kathy,
I was just listening to the radio, and thought I would write you a letter.
How was the concert? Bet the place was packed. Was his band there also?
I am making lounging slippers now. Just finished an afghan for my bed. Mom wants me to make one for her bed, with shades of blue that will match her walls.
It’s cold up here this morning (27 degrees.) Feels good though. This is the weather I am used to. But with snow too. Saw some yesterday while watching the KC and Denver game. They have the heat going but this concrete holds the cold in.
What I would give to be in front of a fireplace with the t.v. on, and a young lady sitting next to me.
Kat, we have covered everything I can think of. Is there anything you want elaborated on? If so, let me know. I would like to have everything perfect for you. That’s the way I am Kat.
I was thinking you might be up this week. Probably Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. I am ready whenever you come up. I am up at 6 am every day. That was the time I used to get up when I was going to work, Kat. My neighbor and I are the only ones up at that time. Everyone else stays in bed, cause they watch t.v. all night long. It’s funny, when you get into a routine, and your body is used to it. I’ll always be like that. Even on weekends too. Here it is 8:05 am, and I haven’t shaved yet. Better get to it, cause I don’t feel right with whiskers on.
Well, I will leave for now, but will return later to finish.
Throughout his interviews and confessions, he refers to each of his victims as “the young lady.” In doing that, he gives them a respect he never showed them when they disliked his music or clothing.
December 16, 1985
Monday—
How are you today? I am feeling pretty good. The cool weather makes me feel good. Feel even better if I was home now.
Bet you have been pretty busy at home and with work.
I am trying to get my brother to come up for the holidays. It’s not easy Kat. For some reason he doesn’t want to see me anymore. Why, I don’t know. It could have been from an article a reporter wrote from Sanford. She said I hate my brother. That is not true, Kathy. I love my brother very much. Sure we had our differences growing up, but that is only normal. Especially for two boys.
They are playing all of the old rock’n’roll I heard while in high school. Sure brings back some memories. We even used to dance to those songs.
I’m sorry if I spread my letters out, but I have others to write to.
It’s nice to have a young lady to write to, and have her write back with advice, Kat. I thank you for that.
Have you heard of the new group “Wham,” from England? They are really good, I like their music a lot. If you get a chance, give them a listen. Also, have you heard the new Christmas Song Medley on the Country Western station? It sounds nice Kat. What about Al Jarreau? That’s my type of music for listening. Did I tell you we have to use headphones for our radios up here? Well we do. I always do cause I have a small GE stereo and it sounds better with headphones on. I had my stereo headphones sent from home, cause they were almost new.
Guess I better close, or you’ll never get this otherwise. I am waiting to see you and to have you approved on my visiting list. Please do that as soon as possible, Kat, so you can start coming up on Saturdays and not take any more time off from work.
Very truly yours,
Jerry
And here he also refers to me as “a young lady.”
Merry Christmas
December 25, 1985
Christmas Day p.m.
Dear Kathy,
Merry Christmas! Sure hope you had a real beautiful day! As for me, it was just great. I was crying for about an hour with my parents. Had pictures taken too.
It has turned really cold up here Kathy. Even though the heat is on, the wind is blowing 20 mph out of the n/w. Plus, these windows don’t close all the way either.
Kathy, I was thinking, what questions do you have in store for me now?
I can only figure out that they may pertain to my clemency appeals, and the other parts of my appeal process. If that is the case, I want to be very careful about what I write, cause some of the process is still going on at this time. No offense Kat towards you though, but it’s confidential at this time.
Well, I want to get this in the mail to you before they pick it up tonight.
Have a nice New Year’s.
Be careful if you drive anywhere. Hope to see you soon.
Best wishes for a Prosperous and Happy New Year. Jerry
January 2, 1986
Kathy,
Happy New Year.
Sure hope you had a beautiful time on New Year’s Eve. As for me, I had cup of tea, and a cigarette, and watched Dick Clark’s “Rockin Eve.”
It’s been six years without a drink for me. If I took one now, I would probably pass out. But I can do without it. I will settle for a cup of tea, or coffee, any day of the week now.
They had a special on HBO this week, with Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. It was really good too. Now I can see why there was a sellout crowd at the Ocean Center when Kenny Rogers was there.
For Christmas, they gave us all brand new lockers. Now I can put all of my stuff in the steel locker. It also serves as a nice table. I can also keep my yarn and needles in there too.
Kathy, I was asked if I wanted to be interviewed by you 2 weeks ago. I wonder what the problem is. Maybe you were busy, and can’t get any days off till the New Year.
Remember how I used to bite my nails? Well, you’re in for a surprise Kat. I stopped 2 weeks ago biting them. For the first time in 34 years, I have fingernails. My fingers feel funny too. Probably cause there are nails on there now. My parents cannot believe their eyes. This is also one of my New Year’s resolutions.
I go before Gov Graham March 20, 1986. I’m not looking forward to it either. But everyone gets one trip, free without worry. I can’t see it that way at all. There is always a first time for everything. I might be the person he gets on the first trip. So I hope you will come up before then a few more times.
Well, guess I will close for now.
Sure hope to see you soon. Write when you get a free moment, but work comes first Kat.
Sincerely,
Jerry
January 9, 1986
Thursday p.m.
Kathy,
Got your note last week. I was looking forward to seeing you today.
They asked me yesterday if I wanted to talk to you. Must have been busy, cause they signed (2) warrants Tuesday. It will probably be set up for next Thursday. I am waiting patiently for it.
Sounds like the Ocean Front Center is doing good. The “Miss Teen U.S.A. Pageant” should be really nice there. Sure hope they televise it. Then I can see it real good, instead of pictures from the paper.
Well, I don’t want to keep you from your work any longer. When you come up, please drive carefully.
Respectfully,
Jerry
P.S. If you get a chance—listen to Aretha Franklin’s “Freeway of Love.”
January 12, 1986
Well, thank you for sending back my pictures. As I said before, the last three are in this letter.
My thoughts proved right. I always strike out when it comes to a girl.
I realize you have copies of the reports of various cases, and have read and reread them. It doesn’t bother me, but I don’t like rehashing them. They are over and done with, plus I am serving time for them now, and also awaiting the Electric Chair on three of them. Maybe I might be better off going off that way than the other way I had planned. I will never see the streets again, so what have I got to lose. Nothing.
Guess I will close for now. Please send the pictures back when you get a chance.
Respectfully,
Gerald Stano
January 19, 1986
Sunday p.m.
Dear Kathy;
I was going through my photo-album for you today. I found some pictures you might want to use. Would you please send them back. I have them labeled with letters A-G.
Letter A—4 years old. Schenectady, New York
Letter B—4 years old—12/25/55 mother and brother N.Y.
Letter C—5 years old—1st fish in Hampton, N.H.
Letter D—5 years old—ocean—Hampton, N.H.
Letter E—17 years old—Jr. High—Pennsylvania
Letter F—19 years old—Sr. High—Pennsylvania—Claudia
Letter G—19 years old Sr. High Pennsylvania—Band
Let me explain the pictures for you.
A. I am at my grandmother’s garden in Schenectady, New York.
B. This is my first bicycle at age 4. Brother’s rocking horse and mother looking on.
C. Deep sea fishing trip. 1st one with father, and I got a 5 ½ pound haddock. Age 5.
D. Swimming in the ocean at Hampton Beach, New Hampshire. Age 5.
E. First dance at Junior High in Ambler, Pa. Christmas Dance. 17 years old.
F. Christmas Dance at Wissahickon Sr. High in Ambler, Pa. The girl is Claudia, whom I went with for 2½ years before moving to Florida.
G. Me in a band uniform in High School.
41
Kat, I tried to space the photos from young to old. These are the only ones without my family. I would like to keep them out of the pictures. I also have some pictures of my wedding, which I don’t think would be good taste to put in. Besides, want to keep her out of the book, as I said I would. I’m sorry I don’t have any pictures of Angela but I’m asking my mother if she does.
As you can see in the two casual photos, I am no slouch when it comes to clothes. The blue suit was my first one. Both of my shirts were French cuffs, the shoes were (wing-tips) cordovans. I didn’t start growing a mustache till my senior year.
I am writing for your questions before I mail this letter, with 4 pictures first, then 3 pictures next. Hope these pictures can help you. Let me know what you think of them. Sorry I didn’t have any more. Also, you can see, I was always on the heavy side from 4 years of age—till the present.
I’ll write more later Kat.
I sure hope you had a safe trip home.