Percy Wetmore's Downward Spiral

Percy Wetmore, the cruel and connected guard, moves from petty sadism to murderous insanity, driven by his own cowardice and the supernatural transfer of Melinda's tumor.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Percy's Arrival and Arrogance

The Governor's Nephew A Guard with Connections Percy Wetmore arrives on E Block through family connections to the governor. He is vain, cruel, and incompetent. He carries a hickory baton and loves to intimidate prisoners. The other guards resent him but fear his political power. First Conflicts Percy clashes with Paul Edgecombe over procedure. He beats Delacroix on his first day, claiming the prisoner tried to touch him. Paul and Brutal restrain him, but Percy's resentment grows. A Pattern of Cruelty Percy torments Delacroix, taunts the other prisoners, and shows no empathy. His behavior is a constant source of tension on the block.

Percy's Humiliation by Wharton

The Wild Bill Incident Wharton Grabs Percy William Wharton, the psychopathic new prisoner, reaches through the bars and grabs Percy, pulling him close. Wharton whispers obscenities and kisses Percy's ear. Percy is terrified and humiliated. Wetting His Pants Delacroix laughs and points out that Percy has wet himself. Percy is mortified. The other guards see his weakness. This incident fuels Percy's desire for revenge against Delacroix and Wharton. A Turning Point Percy becomes more erratic. He begins to plan his revenge, focusing on Delacroix's execution. His cruelty becomes more calculated.

Percy Sabotages the Execution

The Dry Sponge Planning the Sabotage Percy learns from Jack Van Hay that the sponge must be soaked in brine to conduct electricity. He deliberately leaves the sponge dry, intending to cause a painful death for Delacroix. The Botched Electrocution During the execution, the dry sponge causes the current to arc and burn Delacroix alive. The witnesses are horrified. Delacroix's head catches fire, and he screams for minutes before dying. Aftermath Percy is shocked by the result but tries to claim ignorance. The other guards know the truth but cannot prove it. Paul and Brutal confront Percy, forcing him to promise to transfer to Briar Ridge.

Percy Receives the Tumor

The Kiss of Death Coffey's Retribution As Percy walks past John Coffey's cell, Coffey grabs him and kisses him, transferring the brain tumor he had sucked out of Melinda Moores into Percy. Black insects fly from Coffey's mouth into Percy's. Percy Goes Mad Percy's eyes go blank. He walks to William Wharton's cell and shoots him six times, killing him. Then he collapses into a catatonic state, never to speak again. The End of Percy Percy is sent to Briar Ridge, where he remains catatonic until his death in 1965. His connections cannot save him. His cruelty has been punished by the very evil he helped create.

Early 1932, before the main events

Late October 1932, after Wharton's arrival

Night of October 24-25, 1932

Later that same night, after the execution