A. Charles “Chuck” Peruto, Jr. may be the biggest name in Philly criminal defense work. He wasted no time in making a name for himself in his 20s, taking the case of the Whitman Park Sniper. A few years later, he represented Joey Coyle, an unemployed longshoreman who stumbled across a bag filled with $1.2 million that had fallen out of a Brinks Truck. He also represented murderer Gary Heidnik and defended Joey Merlino. After Meek Mill passed over Peruto to take on another lawyer, Chuck took the judge in the Mill case as a client. He is currently planning on running for DA, since he thinks that Krasner is doing such a poor job.Â
Peruto discussed why Joey Coyle got caught, the tricks he used to unsuccessfully convince the jury that Heidnik was insane (he wasn’t), whether repping the mob was scary, and why he thought the judge in the Meek Mill case got a bad deal. Peruto talked about how he likes Krasner but doesn’t respect him as DA, and his thoughts about police.
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He discussed the importance of law school, the problem with Ivy League educated attorneys, and how to win over a jury.
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Peruto also told a never before heard story about his infamous fight with Howard Eskin at the Palm and Lynne Abraham that has to be heard.
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He holds back on absolutely nothing. Whether you agree or disagree with him, you’ll be interested to hear what he has to say. A true Philadelphia original.Â
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