A Tribute to Maury Terry: Friend and Journalist

8/10/2021


Maury Terry was an independent investigative journalist with whom I had become friends...
He first reached out to me shortly after my arrest in 1977. Although we had our ups and downs, our friendship continued until he passed away in 2015.

Maury was a controversial person who was loved by those who knew him and was criticized and denounced by those who did not. His devotion to the infamous Son of Sam case and his outspoken views about it caused him to go against the tide.

To me, however, Maury was a dear friend. He and I had our disagreements, but many laughs as well. Simply put, Maury Terry was a brilliant investigative journalist. In his role as such he would doggedly and faithfully follow every lead. He would leave no stone unturned.

This was quite an accomplishment for a man who had to go it alone. He was not working for a media company who could compensate him for his services with a paycheck. Nor was Maury a member of a law enforcement agency. Had he been, he would've had endless resources at his disposal to assist with his investigation.

Armed with little more than a notebook and pen, he accomplished much. With the meager resources that were available, and the push-back he received from his adversaries, he still pressed on. He refused to be intimidated, nor would he settle for doing a superficial job.

In the field of law enforcement, for example, every detective will tell you that in many a major case in which the perpetrator is notimmediately known, he and his colleagues would spend days, weeks, and even years pursuing leads. Many times, as they would honestly admit, those leads go nowhere. They will turn out to be dead ends. Yet they would continue with their investigation carrying it as far as they possibly can.

So I would ask, were they wasting their time running down and pursuing all those leads? Of course not. That's a part of their job. In some cases, there are hundreds of leads that have to be followed up on. Yet in spite of their best efforts the trail may grow cold.

As for Maury, his attitude was the same. He was a dedicated professional. For him, working alone, every lead had to be pursued. This also meant going down dead ends. Some call them "rabbit holes." But every police detective will tell you that in his career he probably went down hundreds of them. Chasing down any and all leads comes with the territory.

For Maury, his work was a labor of love and concern. Other investigative journalists may have long since given up. But not Maury Terry. He stayed true and he stayed on course. Without good resources and support, he continued onward. This is most commendable.

Despite critics and naysayers, Maury showed his strength. His efforts deserve respect. He was a true professional who was worthy of the title, "Investigative Reporter."

I miss my friend. He will always remain in my heart. Maury was a good man.