Bio

Henry Perry Sireci was born on July 17, 1948. He grew up in Florida. Information about his early life is limited, and there are not many details available about his family or childhood environment. Sireci's later life would lead him into serious trouble with the law, but the early years that shaped him remain somewhat unclear.

As a young man, he would eventually face significant challenges that would come to define his later actions. He is also known by the nickname "Butch Blackstone."

Growing up during the 1950s and 1960s, Sireci lived in a time when society was changing rapidly.

Eventually, the choices Sireci made led him into a life of crime, and he would become known for serious offenses in Orange County, Florida.

Murder Story

On December 3, 1975, Henry Perry Sireci went to a used car lot in Orange County, Florida. He entered the office and spoke with the owner, Howard Poteet, about purchasing a car. During their conversation, a conflict arose. Sireci argued that his intention was to take some keys to return later to steal a car. However, the prosecution claimed that he planned to rob Poteet.

Sireci was armed with a knife and a wrench. A struggle broke out between him and Poteet. Forensic evidence later revealed that Poteet suffered numerous stab wounds and injuries. He had a total of fifty-five stab and incision wounds on various parts of his body, including his chest, back, and head. Poteet's throat had also been cut, leading to his death from massive internal and external bleeding.

On February 27, 1976, Sireci was indicted for first-degree murder. His trial began, and on October 22, 1976, he was found guilty. The jury recommended the death penalty. On November 15, 1976, Sireci was officially sentenced to death.

Henry Sireci went through a series of legal appeals. An evidentiary hearing took place in 1987, and the trial court vacated his death sentence. However, he was resentenced to death on May 4, 1990, by an 11 to 1 jury vote. Over the years, Sireci filed multiple motions and appeals concerning his conviction and sentence, which included issues about the legality of the death penalty in Florida and claims of ineffective legal representation. Most of these efforts were denied by the courts.