I’ve had a few odd conversations regarding Jerry, all the way from a woman claiming Jerry married her to a woman claiming she had Jerry’s child, but perhaps the strangest was with a person who only knew him as Richard Martin, the alias he used during his smuggling career. This person was certain that he was struggling with mental problems in prison. Her husband, also in prison, had told her this. When I mentioned this to him, he had a good laugh.
It’s interesting the things people imagine about one like Jerry. I know that when I first read the accounts of his arrest, I quickly formed an image in my mind. But when 30 years later, I actually met with him, he was quite different than what I had imagined. Oh, I could sense that he didn’t run from violence but I also didn’t think he looked for it. And that opinion didn’t change during the years that followed.
Since his death, I’ve had sufficient time to assess our relationship and not much has changed. I still believe he would have tried to be a good citizen after parole, but I know he would have struggled. He was torn emotionally from so many sides, including his family, that he would have difficulty in sorting out the truth at times. But I think I could’ve helped in that regard by providing an objective voice.
I know he was looking forward to the publication of the book because he wanted to know how people would react. We had even talked about book signings with him, and he seemed to look forward to that. Many of you would be surprised if I said you would enjoy talking to him. He was filled with great stories and had an engaging personality.
I’m sorry that you won’t get a chance to meet him.
It’s interesting the things people imagine about one like Jerry. I know that when I first read the accounts of his arrest, I quickly formed an image in my mind. But when 30 years later, I actually met with him, he was quite different than what I had imagined. Oh, I could sense that he didn’t run from violence but I also didn’t think he looked for it. And that opinion didn’t change during the years that followed.
Since his death, I’ve had sufficient time to assess our relationship and not much has changed. I still believe he would have tried to be a good citizen after parole, but I know he would have struggled. He was torn emotionally from so many sides, including his family, that he would have difficulty in sorting out the truth at times. But I think I could’ve helped in that regard by providing an objective voice.
I know he was looking forward to the publication of the book because he wanted to know how people would react. We had even talked about book signings with him, and he seemed to look forward to that. Many of you would be surprised if I said you would enjoy talking to him. He was filled with great stories and had an engaging personality.
I’m sorry that you won’t get a chance to meet him.
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