| “ | I think of it as a bucket of piss to drown rats in! That's all! Anybody doesn't like it can kiss my ass! | „ |
| ~ Wetmore revealing his true colors |
Percy Wetmore is the secondary antagonist in The Green Mile. He is a sadistic prison guard who abuses the prisoners on death row, and makes an enemy of his superior, Paul Edgecomb.
He is portrayed by Doug Hutchison.
Background[]
Percy is the nephew of the governor's wife, and likely received his position through his family's connections.
Percy is first seen announcing the arrival of John Coffey until his superior, Paul Edgecomb, orders him to stop. Nevertheless, Percy continues to mistreat the death row inmates at any opportunity. He crushes Eduard Delacroix's new pet mouse, Mr. Jingles, but is left confused after John saves him. Eventually, despite learning how to properly use the electric chair, Percy sabotages Delacroix's execution just to see what will happen. He succeeds, but is left in shock after witnessing his scheme's horrific result. He is therefore unofficially punished by the other guards, but shows no remorse in the end.
Later, in order to escort John Coffey safely out of the prison to save Melinda Moores, Paul and the other guards apprehend Percy and lock him in the padded room. Upon their return, Paul and Brutal threaten him into silence. Percy agrees to stay quiet, but immediately after, John grabs Percy and takes control of him for the purpose of killing William Wharton to punish them both at once. Percy never recovers from the brainwashing and is institutionalized at Briar Ridge Psychatric Hospital for the rest of his life. However he was sent to another unknown institute after Briar Ridge was caught in the fire. He dies there in 1965.
Personality and characteristics[]
Percy is described as a small (in both body and mind) man who works on death row for the pleasure of watching prisoners die. The other guards want him reassigned because of this, but his contacts enable him to stay on the Green Mile. Percy is an instigator, stirring up trouble with his violent behavior, and is not above using his family's position to get out of trouble or get what he wants.
Though he enjoys tormenting inmates, Percy proves to be a coward when real danger strikes, as seen in his interactions with William Wharton. He is also somewhat lazy, preferring to read pornographic comics rather than learn about his new position at Briar Ridge.