Windermere resident pens judge’s memoir

Windermere resident and attorney Amy Mitchell has an extensive list of accomplishments, and now she can add writing former chief judge Belvin Perry Jr.’s memoir to her résumé. 

Perry and Mitchell co-hosted a book launch celebration Sept. 13, with more than 200 guests in attendance, to commemorate the release of their book, “The Velvet Hammer: Judge Belvin Perry, Jr.’s Capital Murder Cases and Memoir,” published by Post Hill Press and distributed by Simon & Schuster.

After retiring from 25 years on the bench, Perry reveals in the book a rare and disturbingly vivid, first-hand perspective of the most gruesome death-penalty cases, including the infamous Casey Anthony trial, over which he presided.

In the book, Perry offers his description of America’s criminal justice system and explains why he believes the death penalty can, and should, work and how it was applied to certain capital murder cases he either prosecuted or presided over. He also discusses his journey as an African American growing up in the segregated South.

From the widow who slowly poisoned her lovers; to the lust murderer who mutilated his victim while she was still alive; to the serial killer who slayed a family of four, including his own child; Perry spares none of the gory details when bringing each case back to life in his debut, true crime memoir crafted by Mitchell. 

Despite the slew of challenges and years of dedication, hard work and research that went into crafting the book, Mitchell said publishing the book is a dream come true, and the biggest lesson she learned throughout the experience is that hard work pays off.

STARS ALIGNING 

Mitchell feels she was born to write. She has been a passionate writer from the moment she could put pencil to paper. 

Growing up, she remembers watching “The People’s Court” and admiring the judges on TV.

She came to Windermere 16 years ago to raise her three daughters.

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Mitchell always wanted to write romance novels and never envisioned herself writing about crime, murders or blood.

Then, in 2011, the Casey Anthony trial began.

Mitchell remembers watching every day of the six-week trial and admiring Perry and the way he handled the case on TV.

Formerly a prosecutor, Perry became the first African American elected to the bench of the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Orlando, without first being appointed.  

After achieving national prominence during the Casey Anthony trial, Perry retired in 2014. 

Five years after the trial, Mitchell created a law class for high school students at Windermere Preparatory School and decided to reach out to Perry to be a guest lecturer. To her delight, he obliged. 

“Judge Perry’s lecture was so riveting, and I asked him if I could write his book,” Mitchell said. “He agreed. That was eight years ago, and here we are today finally launching it. Dreams do come true.” 

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PUSHING THROUGH

Perry and Mitchell started working on the book soon after meeting.

“Beginning a book is easy, but finishing it is a major challenge,” Mitchell said. “You have to push through, even when life distracts you.” 

Mitchell found it difficult to write about murders, and the cruelty and pain the heartless killers inflicted on their victims and their families.

“I found it very disturbing, because, as a writer, you have to put yourself in that crime scene and really feel the emotions of the characters,” she said. “It’s scary, because it shows that evil really does exist in this world.” 

Mitchell fondly refers to “The Velvet Hammer” as her fourth baby.

“The Velvet Hammer” is the recipient of The Brew Seal of Excellence, Reader Views Five Star Reviews, Book Nerdiction’s Must Read, Indie Approved Reader and a Star of The International Review of Books, among other awards.

During his speech at the book launch event, Perry stated: “This book talks partly about my life, about some of the cases I did when I was a judge. But, more importantly, it talks about the tragedy of murder, and when you look beyond that, you realize each of those victims had a family. While we did not talk about that tragic loss to them in the book, we need to remember that loss lives on with those family members until the day they die.” 

During her speech, Mitchell thanked Paula Aguilera, her editor and a fellow Windermere resident who held her hand throughout the writing journey.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Currently, Mitchell is a family law attorney at The Marks Law Firm in Orlando, with practice areas including divorce, child support, time sharing/custody and collaborative cases.

Mitchell also is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator, a recipient of the Elite Lawyer Award and is recognized as one of Orlando’s Attorneys of the Year in 2024. 

“I know how stressful divorce can be,” Mitchell said. “I lived it and am here to help my clients navigate through this difficult process. I can relate. That makes all the difference.” 

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