Man seeks plea deal in murder case

By Jonathon Shacat
Herald/Review
Published/Last Modified on Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 - 05:29:27 am MST

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BISBEE — A man charged with murdering another man in Sierra Vista last September entered into a plea agreement in Cochise County Superior Court on Friday.

Daniel Che Grissom, 34, of Sierra Vista, was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder and aggravated assault for killing Robert Perry, 35, of Sierra Vista.

In a plea agreement, he pleaded no contest to committing manslaughter by recklessly causing the death of Perry on Sept. 6. The other charges will be dropped.

The agreement calls for a presumptive term of five years, but he could be sentenced to as little as three years or as much as 12 1/2 years. A term of probation of up to seven years is available as a sentencing option. He may be required to pay restitution.

The defendant and victim were involved in a fight at the Sierra Vista post office on the morning of Sept. 6. Grissom was arrested and then released.

Later that day, Grissom and Perry were in a vehicle. There was a struggle and two bullets were fired from a gun. Perry suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Perry was admitted to Sierra Vista Regional Health Center. He was transported to University Medical Center in Tucson for further treatment and died.

Judge Richard Fields, a Tucson judge assigned to the case due to conflicts with judges in Cochise County, set a sentencing hearing for Oct. 6.

Deputy County Attorney Valerie Aronoff is prosecuting the case. Defense attorney Ruben Teran is representing Grissom.

REPORTER Jonathon Shacat can be reached at 515-4693 or by e-mail at jonathon.shacat@bisbeereview.net.

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Wrong decision wrote on Aug 26, 2008 8:26 AM:

" County attorney Rheinheimer is running unopposed.

He is being real tough on that 12 year old from Douglas, but this murderer gets a total pass.

Bisbee justice, with Sierra Vista being the beneficiary of their largesse. "

Robs friend wrote on Aug 25, 2008 8:58 AM:

" Unbelievable? Not really considering we are in sierra vista! If this slap on the wrist sentencing is allowed by the county attorney then they are basically letting the world know that you can kill someone and get away with it in cochise county! Dont jay walk or have an unlicensed dog or you WILL go to jail;but...murder is ok in this county!Whoever came up with this "deal" should have to explain to Robs'kids that the man who killed thier father will be free in just a few years,maybe even get probation! This makes me sick!!!!! "

Agreeing with Outrageous wrote on Aug 25, 2008 12:41 AM:

" Unfortunately this seems to be the route that our society has chosen to take. There doesn't seem to be any harsh consequences for criminal behavior if you happen to have a good lawyer and a sympathetic jury or judge. We need to get back to the days where people are responsible for their actions. True, I don't know everything about the case, yet if this person was to get three years, it just doesn't seem right for killing another human being. "

OUTRAGEOUS wrote on Aug 23, 2008 12:31 PM:

" Some Judges should NOT be allowed to make decisions! If it was someone you loved dearly, maybe you would look at it differently!! I am so disapointed in the Judicial system, if someone kills another human being, WHY should they deserve a PLEA bargain? People someone has DIED and you think giving they a lower sentence will HELP our SOCIETY!! Give me a break!!! "

Gabby wrote on Aug 23, 2008 11:03 AM:

" This is retarded.... this is proof of how the system is... he killed that man, who had a child on the way, he took his whole life away from him, because he was smad about getting beat up and he might only et 3 years taken from his life?!? This is rediculouse! Rob can never come back ever && that man gets to get out... "

just a thought... wrote on Aug 23, 2008 10:16 AM:

" No point in putting horse blinders on and exclaiming what an injustice this is without knowing much about the case. Just b/c a person is charged w/ a crime doesn't mean s/he committed the crime. There can be endless reasons why the prosecutor and the defense attorney could reach a plea instead of going to trial. One of which could be lack of evidence, inconsistent witnesses, etc. So, please try to keep these considerations in mind when making blatant, ignorant, wholesale accusations about our system. Just a thought. "

messed up wrote on Aug 23, 2008 9:45 AM:

" how can a person who takes another persons life be getting off with less than a person who gets a drug charge. wow injustice continues. "

Frustrated wrote on Aug 23, 2008 9:09 AM:

" What ever happened to life in prison for Murder????? "

MsLen wrote on Aug 23, 2008 9:02 AM:

" How is this possible this man may get 5 years. Rob's life worth 5 years, his family is going to be horrified. This is unbelievable. I pray this man receives his judgement the only way it seems he's going to get it, from God. "

DISGUSTED wrote on Aug 23, 2008 8:32 AM:

" WHAT IN THE WORLD?!! FIRST DEGREE MURDER.. MIN 3YRS, MAX 12 1/2?!!!! SO, WHAT NOW? AND ROB....? WHAT KIND OF JUSTICE IS THIS FOR HIM AND HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS? THIS IS AS HORRIBLE TO HEAR AS IT WAS TO HEAR THAT ROB WAS MURDERED!! WHAT A HUGE INJUSTICE AND DISAPPOINTMENT IN THE SYSTEM again!!! "

XPO wrote on Aug 23, 2008 8:13 AM:

" Whadda deal....5 yrs for killing another!
Welcome to the County of Cochise...and I'll bet the County Attorney accepts the deal! "