Bio

Sammy Crystal Perkins was born on October 1, 1953. He grew up in North Carolina. Perkins came from a family with a history of mental illness. His family struggled with economic hardships that made it difficult for them to get the help they needed.

Perkins had issues with substance abuse. He often turned to drugs and alcohol, which affected his behavior and decision-making. During his teenage years, Perkins began showing signs of mental illness. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder later in life, but he had already been dealing with the symptoms for many years without appropriate treatment.

By 1992, Perkins was living with his mother in Greenville, North Carolina. He had a long history of legal troubles and was known to have had multiple run-ins with the law. Over the years, he had been arrested for various offenses, including a prior conviction for attempted rape. He was released from prison in 1986 but continued to struggle with addiction.

In the spring of 1992, Perkins was dating a woman named Theia Moore. He had known her for about ten years. She lived in a house with her children and grandchildren, including her seven-year-old granddaughter, Lashenna "Jo Jo" Moore. Perkins would often visit her home.

On April 18, 1992, Perkins spent time with his family and consumed alcohol before going to Moore's house in the evening. It was a night that would change everything for him and for the Moore family forever.

Murder Story

On April 19, 1992, in Pitt County, North Carolina, Sammy Crystal Perkins killed seven-year-old Lashenna "Jo Jo" Moore. That night, Perkins was visiting the home of a woman he was dating, who lived with her family, including Jo Jo. On the morning of the murder, Perkins entered the woman's bedroom where she and her two grandchildren were asleep. He attempted to engage in sexual activity with the woman, but she was surprised to find him there. After discovering a butcher knife under her pillow, she ordered him to leave the house.

Later, when the family was preparing for Easter services, Jo Jo's grandmother woke up to find that Jo Jo was dead. The medical examiner determined that she had died of suffocation, as her mouth and nose were covered for several minutes. Evidence indicated that Perkins had smothered Jo Jo with a pillow while sexually assaulting her.

Perkins was arrested on the same day of the murder. At his trial, he claimed that he had been under the influence of drugs and alcohol. He testified that he put the pillow over Jo Jo's face to prevent her from seeing what was happening. Perkins stated that he attempted to revive her afterward but ultimately left the scene.

During the trial, Perkins' history of prior convictions, including an attempted rape, was presented. He was sentenced to death in 1993 for his crimes. After years of appeals, including challenges to his mental health treatment during the trial, Perkins was executed by lethal injection on October 8, 2004. His last meal included fried chicken and sweet potato pie, and he expressed love for his family in his final words.