Officer says Perez has history of violence

By JESSICA SAVAGE
The Lufkin Daily News
Monday, September 15, 2008

A Lufkin man convicted by a jury Monday of murdering his best friend has a history of violence, according to testimony during the punishment phase of the trial.

An officer told jurors on Monday that Gilberto Perez Jr., 28, picked a fight with his father Christmas 2004 after showing up to church drunk and rapping a song about the devil. Perez's father escorted his son out of church where Perez punched his father in the face, according to testimony. Officers later arrested Perez for assault/family violence and criminal mischief for damaging a police car.

"He seemed very, very hostile and very intoxicated," the officer said.

Perez has been convicted of murder for the Aug. 13, 2007 beating death of Wesley Tyrone Hawthorne, 35. A forensic pathologist who testified Wednesday said Hawthorne died after choking on blood from injuries sustained during the attack.

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