NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- What keeps accused killer Perry March busy when he's not in court?

There is not much to do in his 4th floor Metro Jail cell.

There are some books and magazines for him to read, but no radio or television.

But March is allowed outside his cell sometimes to what's called a "Quad" where prisoners classified as under "protective custody" can watch cable television with limited programming.

In the past month, Perry has had only 10 visitors, eight from his attorneys and two from clerics. But no visits have come from family members who have not even attended his three criminal trials.

His wife, Carmen, has never paid her husband a jail visit since he was returned here a year ago.

Just because his family has not made recent visits, Perry still does talk to them regularly.

He regulary talks to his brother Ron in Chicago, his sister, Kathy Breitowich in Hammond, Indiana, and especially, his wife Carmen in Ajijic,Mexico.

Since being locked up in Nashville, March has made more than 1,300 collect telephone calls to his lawyers, to the Federal Public Defenders Office and to some members of his family.

Inmates are given as much access to the telephones as possible, a sheriff's spokeswoman says.

Jail rules allow him to use the phone a maximum of 15 minutes for each call.

There is no record of Perry calling his father, Arthur, who is jailed in Liechfield, Kentucky.

Arthur is a witness against his son in the present trial in which Perry is charged with murdering his wife, Janet, 10 years ago.

Perry's brother, his sister and Carmen all have cell phones obtained in Nashville with local phone numbers.

That permits them to pay only $1.50 for a collect call from Perry since it is considered a local call.

But if Perry places a long distance collect call to his Memphis attorney, William Massey, the defense lawyer must pay the regular long distance rate.

Perry keeps in regular touch with his wife in Mexico. Jail records indicate he telephones her at least twice a day, sometimes more.