Tongue Cutter, Murder Suspect Asked For Deal

The man police believe killed his neighbor then cut his own tongue to distract detectives has asked investigators for a plea deal in recent weeks, according to the victim’s father. 

“He wanted just five years, and he would give up information.  That wasn’t going to fly,” said Stephen Perret, whose son with the same name was murdered in August 2007.  “Then we went to twenty years, and he wanted manslaughter instead of murder,” said Perret.

Michael Crocker, 46, has never been charged with the murder of his neighbor and employee four years ago, but Crocker was arrested last April on a seven count indictment including tax evasion and perjury charges.

"This is absolutely connected, we believe, to the murder of Mr. Perret,” said Sheriff Sam Cochran, who sat in a Mobile County courtroom Monday morning as a judge denied Crocker’s request for a bond reduction.

“We believe he would flee if he gets out of jail on these charges.  He has liquidated a lot of his assets, and he knows he is the prime suspect of this case,” said Cochran.

Assistant District Attorney Martha Tierney argued Monday that Crocker, currently being held on a $500,000 bond, tried to elude investigators when he moved from Alabama to Mississippi, then to Louisiana and Texas.

Tierney asked Crocker’s wife, Donna, to show utility bills in her name or her husband’s name for their last few residences.   Donna Crocker, who is out of jail on bond for tax evasion charges, testified the documents existed but she did not bring them to court.

Investigators believe Michael Crocker stole $250,000 from a waste burning plant in Mount Vernon where Crocker was part owner and Perret was employed.   Detectives believe Perret knew about the missing money, which is why Crocker killed him.

Michael Crocker claimed someone cut out his tongue in a vicious attack on the day after Perret's funeral.   Investigators later realized the claim was false and accused Crocker of cutting out his own tongue.   Prosecutors dropped the charge.

Sheriff Cochran insists investigators are still actively working on the muder investigation, and Cochran told WKRG Monday morning that he believes Crocker will eventually be charged with Perret's murder.