Arthur Bremer - Brief Relationship

Brief Relationship

A week after his arrest, at the end of November 1971, Bremer began a relationship with 16-year-old Joan Pemrich, a freshman at South Division High School. Bremer, who had never had a girlfriend before, asked Pemrich out and she accepted. Their first date went well. They went to a museum, walked around Lake Michigan beach area and then went to a restaurant. However, after this promising start, the relationship went downhill. Bremer displayed pornographic pictures to Pemrich and made graphic sex talk. He said he could help Pemrich with her "hang-ups", as he claimed to know a lot about psychology. When Bremer was introduced to Pemrich's cousin, he made remarks about the girl's "big ass and boobs".

Bremer's inappropriate behavior also showed itself at a Blood, Sweat & Tears concert. He kissed a woman not in his group while waiting to get into the concert. The woman promptly reported his action to a police officer, who let Bremer off with a warning. During the concert, Bremer attempted to impress Pemrich and her friends by dramatically dancing in his seat. He then applauded the group when no one else was doing so, and swayed back and forth during the concert. After the concert, Bremer excitedly whispered to Pemrich that he was so sexually aroused he could hardly walk.

Pemrich ended the relationship during the first days of 1972, because Bremer acted "goofy" and "weird". Bremer could not overcome this rejection; he began stalking her, and on January 14, 1972, shaved his head, saying to her that "you make me feel as empty as my head." Pemrich's mother then threatened to call the police if Bremer continued to pester her.

After Bremer's arrest, Joan Pemrich expressed surprise at Bremer's actions, because she said he was not violent and never mentioned or talked about Wallace or politics during their time together.