Sympathy Vote: a Reinvestigation of the Valerie Percy Murder

by Glenn Wall

A dark morning. Waves on Lake Michigan. An elegant home on the beach, and a senatorial candidate who would one day be considered presidential material at home with his close knit family in one of Chicago's quietest, most elegant suburbs. This is the unlikely setting for the most notorious, baffling, and horrific cold case murder of the 1960s, which –along with its investigation– made headlines nationwide for years. Valerie Percy...pretty, smart, destined for greatness at just 22 years old, a key aide and campaigner for her father, Charles Percy...violently beaten and stabbed to death in her bedroom by a knife-wielding intruder. The only witness - her stepmother. No sexual assault. Nothing taken. No rational explanation. As inexplicable as the Manson murders that would occur in the Hollywood Hills a few years later. The killer escaped to a beach and disappeared into thin air, never to be found. Percy went on to become a long serving Senator from the state of Illinois. His late daughter’s twin became the First Lady of West Virginia, married to West Virginia Senator Jay Rockefeller. Glenn Wall revisits the long cold case. Talking to cops, both retired and current, reporters, friends and Percy’s former aides. He explores the players, the place, and posits a compelling theory of who did it, a violent, disturbed individual who was raised within walking distance of Percy's home, and ultimately died at the hands of his own family. This is one of the country’s most enduring unsolved murders. And it is riveting reading. Features 22 never before seen photographs.

Genres: True Crime, Crime

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 9, 2013

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only thing I knew prior to reading this book was Valerie Percy was murdered. I wasn't aware that it remains unsolved. I learned a great deal from this book. I have my opinion on who carried out this heinous murder but I will let you read it and see how you think carried it out.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a reinvestigation and analysis of data surrounding the 1966 murder of Valerie Percy, daughter of soon-to-be Senator Charles Percy of Illinois.

This author was the next door neighbor to my parents while I was in college, and I've talked to him about the material in the book personally. This is an important book in the realm of its subject matter in that it reveals new information that was not taken seriously at the time of the crime. The author's hope, and mine, is that the information will reach those who are in a position to finally resolve the case with answers that will prove to be satisfying and comforting to surviving family members.

The review I wrote of this on my blog is located here:

http://neologisticsediting.com/2013/1...

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book! It started out a bit slow because for me I did not know how these people were related to the heart of the book. But later it made sense. The book was interesting for me because I love puzzles and this crime is definitely that. Wondering why DNA was not helpful to solve this horrible crime.

[Jill Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The summer of 1966 in Chicago was long and hot. In the early summer, 8 student nurses were found murdered on their town house on the city’s South Side. In the days before cable and non-stop television coverage, regular programming was interrupted by news updates as the city trembled until Richard Speck, a drifter, was apprehended for the crime. Two months later, another horrible murder occurred. Valerie Percy, the daughter of Republican Senate candidate, was found beaten and murdered in her bed in the upscale suburb of Kenilworth. And while the murderer of the eight nurses was promptly found, the killing of Valerie Percy has never been solved. As a 15 year old living just north of Kenilworth, I clearly remember that summer of killings and how scary it all was.

Now 50 years later, Glenn Wall has published “Sympathy Vote: A Reinvestigation of the Valerie Percy Murder”. The book is a well-researched and well-written account of the victim and her family, both local and national law enforcement, and some local talent criminals who became enmeshed in the case. In particular, one local bad guy who was tagged for crimes from breaking and entering to murder. Police and the district attorneys office could never prove his involvement., but he continues to be “liked” for the crime.

One of the most interesting parts of the book was Wall’s follow up on the people involved. I didn’t realise the Percy family left Kenilworth right after Valerie’s murder. As the years passed, people died and the crime remained unsolved. But Chicagoans alive at the time will never forget that long hot summer of murder.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a well-written, interesting read regarding the author's theory about the 1966 murder of Valerie Percy, the daughter of Charles Percy who was elected to the U.S. Senate from Illinois two months after Valerie's death. The murder remains unsolved, and the author's theory, while interesting, leaves many questions unanswered. For example, he suggests this may have been a revenge killing, but revenge for what? And does nothing to connect the two families and does not answer the question of whether the fathers knew each other, fequented the same clubs or restaurants, whether their childrend attended the same schools or clubs, etc.

[K.C. Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating look at an unsolved murder that rocked the Chicago area. Great research into what happened to Valerie Percy and how her death affected not only her family but everyone involved for years after.

[Eunice Coorlas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glenn Wall has written a tour de force regarding the 1966 Valerie Percy murder. As I lived near Kenilworth and traveled Sheridan Road with much regularity, the shocking murder often came to mind.

The daughter of Charles H Percy, Illinois senatorial candidate, was bludgeoned to death in her bedroom on September 18, 1966. While her family slept, the heinous crime was committed. Fifty plus years after her death the crime remains unsolved. Mr. Wall lays out a tightly woven list of suspects and ultimately pinpoints the actual murderer. Even though many years have passed, it is hopeful that the officers who still monitor the Percy murder case will take note and pursue this suspect.

I found the book, Sympathy Vote, a mesmerizing read.
We, the readers, are introduced to investigators as well as suspects in an in-depth manner. Their actions, as well as non-actions, are laid out with attention to details.

This is a 5 star superb true crime read.

[Barbara Langlois · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read approximately 3/4 of the book before calling it quits. Poorly written story of the murder of Valerie Percy which officially remains unsolved to this day. Author attempts to make a case for William Thoresen having been the killer but fails to offer even the most circumstantial of evidence. Even worse, he makes incorrect so called factual statements. Case in point on page 17, he states that when Illinois secretary of state Charles Carpenter died shoe boxes of money were found in his closet. Wrong secretary of state. That was Paul Paul who stashed money in shoeboxes.

[Bill reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valerie Percy was murdered in 1966 near Chicago at the home of her father, Charles Percy. The millionaire was later elected to the U.S. Senate. The victim was bludgeoned and stabbed to death.
Wall attempts to make a case against William Thoresen, the son of a wealthy man who had several encounters with the law. He was a nearby neighbor and was eventually shot by his wife. She claimed that he admitted to other murders.
I needed more about Thoresen but most of the book covers the political career of Percy. A long list of suspects is given, and, in the end, the case remains unsolved.

[Denise Merritt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Compelling and I agree with the author on the killer’s identity. I agree with reader Wendy - why was DNA not helpful in solving this murder?

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

The author does a good job describing the 1960s feel in the upper class neighborhood. He makes an excellent case for his suspect.