35 Facts About Perry Smith

Early Life and Family Background

Perry Edward Smith's life began in a tumultuous environment, setting the stage for his troubled future. His family background and early experiences played a significant role in shaping his personality and actions.

1. Perry Edward Smith was born on October 27, 1928, in Huntington, Nevada.
2. His mother, Florence Julia "Flo" Buckskin, was of Native American Shoshone ancestry.
3. His father, John "Tex" Smith, had Irish and Dutch roots.
4. The family lived in poverty, often moving due to Tex's work in the rodeo circuit.
5. Smith's parents were alcoholics, leading to a volatile and abusive household.

Childhood Trauma

Smith's early years were marked by significant trauma, which had lasting effects on his mental health and behavior.

6. Physical and emotional abuse were common in Smith's childhood.
7. In 1935, his mother left his father and moved the children to San Francisco.
8. Smith's mother died when he was 13, leading to his placement in a Catholic orphanage.
9. At the orphanage, nuns abused him for his chronic bed-wetting, a result of malnutrition.
10. He was also placed in a Salvation Army orphanage, where a caretaker allegedly tried to drown him.

Adolescent Struggles

Smith's teenage years were filled with instability and brushes with the law, further complicating his path.

11. Smith reunited with his father during adolescence, living an itinerant lifestyle.
12. He joined a street gang and became involved in petty crime, leading to time in juvenile detention.
13. Smith served in the Marines during World War II but did not see combat.
14. After the war, he worked in Nebraska and later joined the army, serving in the Korean War.
15. He was honorably discharged in 1952.

Life-Altering Events

Several significant events in Smith's life had profound impacts on his physical and mental well-being.

16. In 1952, Smith was involved in a motorcycle accident that left him hospitalized for six months.
17. The accident resulted in permanent damage and chronic pain, which he described as a lifelong condition.
18. Despite his lack of formal education, Smith was regarded as having a higher-than-average intellect.
19. He enjoyed singing and playing instruments like the guitar and harmonica.
20. Smith also had a passion for reading and expanding his vocabulary.

Criminal Activities

Smith's criminal history began early and escalated over time, leading to more serious offenses.

21. Smith's criminal activities included petty crimes and a store robbery.
22. In 1955, he was arrested for the burglary of the Chandler Pavilion but escaped from jail three days later.
23. He was later cited for vagrancy in Worcester, Massachusetts, and disappeared again after being freed on a $10 bond.
24. Smith was identified as an escapee and sentenced to five to ten years in the State Penitentiary at Lansing.
25. He served his sentence from March 13, 1956, until July 6, 1959.

The Clutter Family Murders

Smith's involvement in the Clutter family murders is one of the most infamous crimes in American history.

26. After his release from prison, Smith met Dick Hickock in Kansas City.
27. On November 15, 1959, Smith and Hickock entered the Clutter family farmhouse in Holcomb, Kansas.
28. They bound, gagged, and murdered Herbert Clutter, his wife Bonnie, and their children Nancy and Kenyon.
29. The motivation behind the murders was Hickock's belief that there was a safe in the house containing $10,000.
30. They only ended up with about $50 in cash, a pair of binoculars, and a Zenith transistor radio.

Capture and Trial

Smith and Hickock's capture and trial were highly publicized, drawing national attention.

31. After six weeks at large, Smith and Hickock were captured in Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 30, 1959.
32. During the trial, a psychiatrist diagnosed signs of mental illness in Smith, but this was not admissible under Kansas law.
33. Smith and Hickock were found guilty and sentenced to death.
34. On April 14, 1965, Smith and Hickock were executed by hanging at the Kansas State Penitentiary in Lansing, Kansas.
35. Truman Capote's 1966 non-fiction novel In Cold Blood chronicled the Clutter family murders and the subsequent trial and execution of Smith and Hickock.

The Complex Legacy of Perry Smith

Perry Smith's life was a whirlwind of trauma, violence, and crime. Born into poverty and abuse, his early years set the stage for a troubled existence. Despite his intellect and musical talents, Smith's life spiraled into criminal activities, culminating in the horrific Clutter family murders. His partnership with Dick Hickock led to a crime that shocked the nation and resulted in their executions. Truman Capote's In Cold Blood immortalized the case, highlighting Smith's complex personality and the brutal nature of the crime. The Clutter murders and Smith's story continue to captivate, offering insights into human psychology and the justice system. Smith's legacy remains a chilling reminder of how early life experiences can shape one's path, leading to tragic outcomes. His story is a stark reflection of the darker aspects of human nature and the consequences of a life marred by hardship.