Free Christopher Berry

Latest post, New Hope

2010-11-15T16:15:00.000-08:00

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Berryv has now been moved to Columbia correctional Institution and is doing well there. His new address:

Christopher Berry #219210
CCI
PO Box 900
Portage, Wi 3901

Essay: Michael Jackson

2009-09-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

CREATED BY: "The Soul Of Mine!" 6/29/2K9
"MICHAEL JACKSON; THE INVISIBLE MAN IN THE MIRROR"...

Enough cannot be said in words to describe the enormous magnitude of the personality, character and life of The Invisible Man- Michael Jackson. Exactly who and what he was in Politically Correct terms, I think is impossible to define, but what was indeed certain is the fact that he was many things. He was in many estimates, the definition of Human Being; he was super intelligent, humble, emphathetic, compassionate, objective, timid, creative, ambitious, adventurous, unique, and mysterious.

He was very immature at his age, and this made him even more mystical and misunderstood. He was a boy inside a man's body, and he related better to children the same age he was when he lost his own sense of childhood, b-cuz he had to work by force, not choice. He had to learn perfection before he could even understand what it meant to be famous. The saddest truths about The invisible Man- Michael Jackson is, that he was lonely as a child, as well as a man, and his eccentricness was his was of expressing to all, what he felt like inside. While he knew he could make millions of people young and old, Black, or White smile and feel good, he felt nothing but Pain inside.

Indeed he expressed his pain in ways that were strange to us, but what apparently must've been comfortable to him, such as the multiple cosmetic surgeries, which was a form of self-mutilation. Michael Jackson never cared about his external appearance, but he wanted to show the world that we were the one's with the problem based on how we judged him about his physical transformation in terms of his appearance. He didn't feel inside the way he looked to other's outside, esp. to women, who fainted over his charming looks. He felt ugly, sad, and lonely inside as a result of his abuse by his father during his childhood, so his music couldn't express enough, the pain, shame and hurt he lived with inside, so he elevated to the next level, which was to change his natural good looks, to one of pain, shame and ugliness, the true way of which he felt.

He endeavored to teach us, the fans, the critics, the media and the world a lesson, that it would be up to us to actually learn. Would we still have the capacity to love him-Michael Jackson for the same reasons we claimed to love him in the genesis, after he amended his outer appearance? Immediately we began our ritual of passing negative judgement and no one was exempt of this. [If], you were Black, you felt Michael was trying to be white, (if) you were white, you felt Michael was more white than you. So who really has the problem here? He was endeavoring to show us our own ugliness in how we perceive others. He wanted each of us man and woman, young and old, Black and White to take time to look in our own individual Mirrors, and see what it is about the person we see look'n back at us, could use some changing. It doesn't mean to change your looks, he never said that even in the song, it means to change your ways; change how you look at others that are different from you.

Judging another is very easy, but accepting someone else's judgement of us, or judging ourselves is so hard that we never even contemplate it. I say we b'cuz, I'm also guilty of this deed called judging. However, whatever lessons were there to be learned, I believe I've finally learned them at the fate of a Dearly beloved lonely and now lost soul, Brotha, friend, Icon, Legend, and most importantly Human Being in the name of Michael Jackson....

Let's be honest, with the exception of some, we loved Michael Jackson (not) due to how he looked appearance wise except for how bad, slick and cold he looked doing his signature dance, the moon walk. It was his mezmerizing voice and profoundly hypnotizing rymthraic base melodies that gripped us from the inside,and wouldn't let us go, and so we couldn't ever fathom letting him go. In essence Michael lived and thrived off the love we showered him with, but when that love slowed and to him seemed to stop, so did his heart beats began slowing; all
the "whacko Jacko" ridicule, and ultimately he died of a mass heart attack, or broken heart that couldn't bare another ounce of pain, and he was only fifty yrs. young; though as a boy of 9yrs., he had already lived the life of a man.

I'm not sure what Michael saw in mirror, I'm only certain that what reflected back to the world, was merely a shadow of who he really was, and had learned to become The invisible Man... Now in his demise many hope to unviel his disguise to solve the true mystery, that was and will always be apart of African American History. When we listen to his music from this point forward, we will remember to listen to more than just the spoken words. Mike said, "I never sing N-Ething I don't feel". He also said to Diane Sawyer in an interview: "When you call me Jacko, that hurts me, I have a heart and it's not nice to say that, I'm Jackson".

It may be those words spoken by Michael Jackson, that will forever hunt the conscience of those of us who referred to him by the derogatory misnomer "whacko Jacko", which quite possibly may be the single thing that drove him to commit suicide. "I'm Michael Jackson!" I will always remember those words. "So; I bid you a farewell My Beloved Brother, Idol and Inspiration. Know that your life as well as your music has had and everlasting impact and impression upon the hearts and minds of millions upon millions of people. You single handly broke the stereotypical racial barriers with your words in the form of songs, and no one can ever forget that. "You were and always will be a Legend, and Musical Genius. "Well pleased be ye' with God, and well pleased is God with thee. Now you deserve to R.I.P....
. -- . R.I.P. Big Brother
(1958-2009)
——Created By,
• The Soul of Mine

Christopher Berry, Innocent

2008-05-09T13:04:00.000-07:00

A STORY OF FALSE IMPRISONMENT
SERVING 10 YEARS FOR A CRIME I DIDN'T COMMIT
By Christopher Berry
In May 1991 at the age of just 18 years I was arrested on charges of first-degree intentional homicide. The state alleged that I gave a gun to a then 1l year-old boy, Terrance Simpson, and ordered him to shoot and kill a 21 year-old man named Darnell Williford. It was alleged to have been due to a drug dispute. In Aprii of l99l while on top of the roof of a community center, this 11 year-old shot and killed Mr. Williford with a handgun.
The trial was nationally televised and dubbed as Racine's first and youngest murderer. I sat before a large audience uneducated and uncertain of my fate. I told the courkoom audience and the world watching me on television that the only thing I thought would help me was "nothing but the truth so help me God."
I was asked, "Did you ask Mr. Simpson to shoot Damell?" I answered,'No, I did not."
"Did you give Terrance Simpson a gun to shoot Mr. Williford?" I answered. "No. I did not."
"Did you get into a dispute with Mr. Williford over some drugs?" I answered, "Yes, but the drugs were not mine nor his."
I went on to admit that I was angry at Williford for the way he came into the house that I was in and that I chased him with a sawed-off shotgun out into the street along with my Rottweiler dog. I also admitted that the gun was unloaded. I told the whole truth! Jesus said, "The truth shall set you free." This is the understanding I had of that statement at that time.
Today I am blessed to have a little more education than I had in 1991l . I have lost a mother who always believed in her son's innocence but who never got the chance to witness the truth come out with her eyes. Today a decade has passed, and I am still incarcerated, presently at the Supermax.

WHEN YOU'VE SEEN A MAN By Christopher Berry
When the days of a man are long and enduring and his nights are restless and boring—when you've seen a man whose laughter is replaced with tears in his eyes, whose soul is wretched from deep down hidden pain inside, whose greatest task of his life was to learn how to swallow his pride, sorrow and grief defines his emotions day after day while encased within his tomb, that he is forced to call a room which is empty and exempt of color, you can see how his eyes are filled with gloom.
219210 isn't just any number, where he's at that is equivalent a name. How sad but true it is that some people believe a shorter number gives him fame, and he is proud of his number name—all the same.
But to some it's a disgrace and brings shame to the family's name and stripes that are like strikes in a place that we call society, where in truth no one is really free except one who believes in God and not just this Government of Democracy. Yes, if you've ever seen a man as the one described above, you know you probably have just seen the author hereof. But you can just call him ME!
HOW INNOCENT IS JUSTICE? By Christopher Berry
One may ask this question a thousand and one times but will never obtain an answer. It has nevertheless been proven time and time again that where the poor, disenfranchised African Americans arc concerned, justice has always been indifferent and guilty of racism in America. This excludes the O.J and Ray Lewis but includes the Rodney Kings, Mumia Abu Jamuals and most recenly the Christopher Berry's for that matter.
After ten years of diligent searching and uncovering of exculpatory evidence in the state of Wisconsin V Christopher Berry case, a recantation affidavit by the state's star witness (the actual shooter in case) clearly vindicating Mr. Berry of all involvement in the homicide of April 29,1991 in Racine, WI, Judge Ptacek on Nov. 9,2001 at the final 974.06 motion hearing, did biasly deny the petition and thus continued the undisputed legacy and tradition of Old Glory with the same Story under a New Order.
How innocent is justice isn't a question that needs answering when it is self-explanatory on its face.
Christopher Berry #219210
P. O. Box 9900 Boscobel, WI 53805

If you would like more information, or would like to donate to help pay for a lawyer to help free this man, contact Christopher by mail at the address above, OR contact FFUP.

Forum for Understanding Prisons(FFUP); PO Box 285, Richland Center, Wi 53518; swansol@mwt.net, We are a 501 c3 non profit organization and all contributions are tax deductable.

to affidavit proving innocence,post two
to post three, four poems by Christopher
to post four,letter to sentencing judge
to post 5,essay:"politics in Law"
To post 6, news article about original crime

Affidavit Proving Innocence

2008-05-08T13:21:00.000-07:00

IN 2001, Terrance Simpsonconfessed that he lied when he told the court that Christopher was involved with the killing of Darnell Williford. Below is a photo of that affidavit, a scanned transcription, and a photo of young Terrance Simpson.

scanned copy of Terrence Simpson affidavit

STATE OF WISCONSIN CIRCUIT COURT RACINE COUNTY
STATE OF WISCONSIN, Plaintiff, v. CHRISTOPHER L. BERRY, Defendant.
Case No.91-CF-485

AFFIDAVIT OF TERRANCE SIMPSON

I, Terrance Simpson, being first duly sworn and under oath, state the following:
1. I make this affidavit on personal knowledge.
2. Investigator Soderberg of the Racine Police Department coerced my statements to the police in the above-captioned matter.
3. I lied when I testified at the trial of Christopher Berry that Mr. Berry and Terry Jackson pushed me up onto the roof of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Center just prior to the shooting of Darnell Williford.
4. I lied when I testified that Mr. Berry provided me with the gun that I used to shoot Darnell Williford.
5. At the time I shot Darnell Williford, I was alone on the roof of the Youth Center.
6. Mr. Berry never asked or ordered me to shoot Mr. Williford.
Dated this 7th day of April 2001.
signed byTerrance Simpson

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If you would like more information or would like to donate money or time helping with Christopher's defense or other projects, email us at swansol@mwt.net or write to FFUP or Christopher himself.. Addresses below

Christopher berry #219210
WSPF; PO Box 9900
Boscobel, Wi 53805

FFUP (Forum for Understanding Prisons)
P.O.Box 285
Richland Center, Wi 53581

to post one Christopher Berry,Innocent
to post three,four poems by Christopher
to post four,letter to sentencing judge
to post 5,essay:"politics in Law"
To post 6, news article about original crime

4 Poems

2007-05-12T04:19:00.000-07:00

Four Poems by Christopher Berry

If What You Feel Is Real

If what you feel is real then never mind anyone else-
What's important is what you think and believe about yourself.
Of course, trust, honesty, patience, communication and understanding
Is what every relationship needs,
But who are you to make anyone believe-
It's your own fault that you continue to wear your heart on your sleeves,
And when she cuts you with her knife, you're the one who bleeds.
Sometimes, you have to learn how to let go and accept it for what it is-i.e. no means no-
Although failure is often hard and rejection is too,
But look at it as an experience to learn from and grow.
If what you feel is real,
That persistence overcomes resistance
Then you already know motion means progress
Depending on which way you go-
But nothing comes fast everything is slow-
If what you feel is real, then you already know.

Living Under Oppression

Suppression, Repression, Depression and Oppression are consequences of slavery just like incarceration. When you are inhibited by another from expression, that is Suppression; when you are held by another from realizing your full potential, or exercising your talents to the fullest extent, that is Repression; when you are prohibited from being the man, husband, brother, father, the friend or the lover that you know you can be, that contributes to Depression.
But none of these are worst than Oppression. When you are aware of how hard life already is for one or another under your care and custody, and you try to do nothing to reduce their suffering or you refuse to allow them to do something to reduce their own suffering, though it wouldn't hurt you to do so, then you have become an Oppressor.
Your enforce everything like an overseer, sitting atop his horse looking down at the slave, who doesn't allow any breaks to the slave, not even to drink water, since the master has set the rules of no breaks during work hours from sunup to sundown. You are the one so eager to oppress, that my pain becomes your pleasure and your pleasure becomes my pain. You make sure that he never finds and sense of pleasure real or imagined. His life must be a constant hell. And now it is your task as well as your pleasure to see this facilitated.
The Suppression Of Expression and Depression are the end result of your Oppression. The same as no one, but no one chosed to be enslaved during slavery, the same holds true for those incarcerated today. And while many may have committed the actual crimes that have landed them in Prison, there is/has been evidence to show that there are even more locked up that are completely innocent.
But an Oppressor only knows that you have been judge guilty and must therefore by punished, which is the one thing he specializes in dispensing.
You didn't make your job what it is, but your job made you what you are, i.e., an Oppressor; something you'll never know how it feels until you have been oppressed yourself. It makes no difference as to my location or the plantation I'm forced to be stationed, Oppression is the same everywhere you are--as in segregation.
But that is when and how you've become accustomed to LIVING UNDER OPPRESSION in this day and time.
Created by THE SOUL OF MINE, Jan 7, 2K6

If I can Make It Better

IF I can make it better- then that's all I want to do,
To make you smile and laugh,
and to know that things are good between me and you.

If I can make it better, I wouldn't ask for anything more-
Your understanding and patience is what I adore.

If I can make it better that would be my wish-
I promise to make no promises I cannot keep on my list.

If I can make it better there would never be any pain,
No more wars, poverty, homelessness, epidemics, nor starvation.

If I can make it better, I'd walk with you, talk with you while holding your hand-
The days would always be sunny; the nights would be nice and warm.
There would be so much for us to do that we wouldn't need a plan,
No, not even during storm
Yeah, I can make it better.

Created BY The Soul of Mine June 23,2004

That's the Way It Is
I've thought about it more than once, and then came to realize
That what I thought it was, it wasn't, it was just another lie.

That's just the way it is.

When I look into your eyes, I see hurt, emptiness, and pain
Caused by loneliness, the kind you're compelled to contain.

That's just the way it is.

But what I can't understand is how come you smile and laugh
Knowing what we both know,
Or is it a disguise as to what you really feel,
Because like you, I too know the real,
And don't tell me-

That's just the way it is.

Time reveals all to the eye,
And you'll remember what made you laugh
The day when it makes you cry.

Now, that's the way it is.

Created by Christopher Berry, professor of Love and Diverse Sciences; July 23, 2K3

If you would like more information or would like to donate money or time helping with Christopher's defense or other projects, email us at swansol@mwt.net or write to FFUP or Christopher himself.. Addresses below

Christopher berry #219210
WSPF; PO Box 9900
Boscobel, Wi 53805

FFUP (Forum for Understanding Prisons)
P.O.Box 285
Richland Center, Wi 53581

to post one Christopher Berry, Innocent

to affidavit proving innocence, post two

to post four, letter to sentencing judge

to post 5, essay "politics in Law"

To post 6, news article about original crime

Letter to sentencing Judge

2007-05-09T13:56:00.000-07:00

THE CALL FOR JUSTICE by Christopher Berry
On May 24, 1999, I took the liberty to address the attention of the trial, and sentencing Judge. The following are excerpts from that letter.

Dear Honorable Judge Pteck:

May it please Your Honor, I, the above named defendant and prisoner, respectfully and humbly compose this sincere dissertation to you as a "Message of Truth," that you will hopefully read rather than simply peruse over. I understand your role as judge quite better today sir, than compared to the year 1991, which is the never forgotten year of what I call "The Trial of Racine's 20th Century." That, as stated, is a year never to be forgotten, at least not by me as long I shall live. I'll forgo going into all the basics as that which is known need not be explained. And that is why I felt compelled to address Your Honor today to state with all clarity and intelligence, the facts and truth which were hidden, undisclosed, and concealed in "The Trial of Racine's 20th Century." Therefore your Honor, I respectfully request that you please bear with me a moment while I move to dispense these thoughts while they remain so fresh in mind. It will only require a few minutes of your time.
Statement of Facts
I begin by quoting United States Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, who also serves as Circuit Justice for the 11lh Judicial Circuit. He espoused these words:
"Few places are a more real expression of the constitutional authority of the government than the court room where the law itself unfolds. Within the courtroom, the government invokes its laws to determine the rights of those who stand before it. In full view of the public, litigants press their cases, witnesses give testimony, juries render verdicts, and judges act with the utmost care to ensure that justice is done."
In response to that statement and based on personal experience as a defendant, witness, and victim, I will say quite candidly, that I admire the above Supreme Court Justice's analysis of what his experiences are. But what he describes in general is in particular a view that is not shared in common by the many destitute and disenfranchised persons, who like myself have the personal experience of being a defendant, witness, and victim all at once.
Sir, you will recall in the year of 1776, it was written, "We hold these truths to be self-evident," and one of them was "that all men are created equal." Your Honor, without equivocating, I can personally say that in 1991, there was no equality of treatment displayed in your courtroom during the "Berry Trial" or in 1992 in Berry's appeal. As a matter of fact and truth, I was legally "lynched" in your courtroom by the very people who Justice Kennedy had observed were responsible for upholding and protecting my "proclaimed" civil rights.
Allow me to elucidate my point for you. As you know, Attorney Joe Kremkoski, a court commissioner, was appointed by you to defend my common interests, "Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness" against the state accusers. And it is my understanding of the law one of my guaranteed rights during a criminal trial is that of the 6th Amendment to "effective assistance of counsel." It is already a point in matter capable of being demonstrated and shall be that Mr. Kremkoski, a lawyer that worked for you as a court commissioner, was everything but effective. He was a good show, but no more than that. The state District Attorneys Ms. Joan Korb and Zoe Stowers should be absolutely ashamed of themselves for what they advocated at my trial, and 1 note that that they are just the obverse of what they should be.
The state in this case has committed vast errors, which resulted in the tainting of a witness and ultimately in an illegal, unconstitutional, and biased conviction. Possibly they have committed a felony i.e. misconduct in public office, as defined in 946.12 of Wisconsin statutes. Attorney Kremkoski, trial counsel, has also committed vast errors, which amounted to the prejudicing and absolute denial of my 5th, 6th, and 14"th amendment guaranteed rights, thus aiding the state in its wrongful conviction of me.
In the book of Matthew it says Jesus remained silent during all the questioning at his trial. The oppressors challenged Him to save Himself. I am not Jesus, and that is why I cannot remain silent today, for it is my soul that speaks, and this is "The Call For Justice."
Christopher Berry
Judge Pteck
Racine County Circuit Court
Racine, WI

If you would like more information or would like to donate money or time helping with Christopher's defense or other projects, email us at swansol@mwt.net or write to FFUP or Christopher himself.. Addresses below

Christopher berry #219210
WSPF; PO Box 9900
Boscobel, Wi 53805

FFUP (Forum for Understanding Prisons)
P.O.Box 285
Richland Center, Wi 53581

to post one Christopher Berry,Innocent

to affidavit proving innocence,post two

to post three, four poems by Christopher

to post 5, essay "politics in Law"

To post 6, news article about original crime

Politics in Law

2007-05-09T13:51:00.000-07:00

Politics In Law — The Fight For Justice
The Case
Summary of the Facts IN RE: Of State of Wisconsin v. Christopher Berry. 91-CP-485.
In my evaluations of the State's case against the defendant - Berry, compared with all the available and especially the missing evidence of government witnesses testimonies, and with that of the resurrected facts of co-defendants Terry Jackson, Cornelius Hunter and with much emphasis on the culprit, defendant, Terrance Simpson' s admissions and recantations, it is only obvious that the District Attorney and the Racine Police detectives all were acting in concert of a conspiracy to deprive defendant Berry of his Constitutional Rights to due process, a fair trial and equal protection of the laws. They also violated his substantive right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment. In accord with the 5 , 8th and 14th amendments. In my observations I am now certain without any reasonable doubt that the State of Wisconsin knowingly, intentionally, spitefully, willfully and purposefully presented false, slanted and harmful testimony and information before the court and jury on the day of the trial.
With statements from Terry Jackson in writing admitting that he lied on the preliminary that subject me to be bound over for trial, is to be inferred that the state had knowledge that he was lying, and this also can be inferred from the states action and decision to later prosecute Mr. Terry Jackson.
I have been in the process of conducting my own private and personal investigation and so far much has turned up, and I am convinced by the facts of this new evidence that I, defendant Berry was and am a victim of a government conspiracy in the race for certain elections during the political season for judges, D.AA, police officials and the entire judicial system.
The facts show that the judge which presided over my case as well as the two female D.A.'s, were all new to this system and that it is no wonder the state opened its case in the following words: "Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, you all know how our system works." I at that time did not know how it worked but over the years I have done and have committed myself to a lot of Studies in the area of politics and judiciary administration. I have now read a multitude of cases where it is evident that the two work in conjunction. They have in the name of politics conspired to and have convicted a magnitude of innocent persons without any regard for those person's rights secured by the Constitution of the United States of America.
We all know or should know what the definition of a citizen is: "one who, under the Constitution and laws of the U.S., or a particular state, is a member of the political community owing allegiance and being entitled to the enjoyment of full civil rights."
Now I ask, does this statement "full civil rights" only apply to those "particular or initiated few?" Why then was I wrongfully, illegally and unconstitutionally pronounced guilty at a mock trial. Was I stripped and literally raped and robbed of my FULL CIVIL RIGHTS? Furthermore, why am I now in the fight for my life that was robbed from me? My liberty has been unlawfully stolen from me.
I wish to impose these questions on the majority of our nation as well as the minority, whether conservative, liberal or independent. Of course I understand that I may not have looked innocent because of the shade of my skin or because of who I was said to have been, but I don't recall a law anywhere holding that I must LOOK innocent.!
To the contrary it states, "no one can look into the mind of a person to infer his guilt or innocence, rather it must be based solely upon the evidence put forth by the State who has the burden of proving his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. It doesn't even hold that I had to prove my innocence, but rather the opposite. I am supposed to be innocent before proven guilty and not the contrary!
However, in my case the contrary to the above was more the case. It was nothing more than a silent conspiracy where everyone, including the judge, D.A. and witnesses of the State knew their judicial duty which was as Malcolm X once stated: "By any means necessary
"By any means necessaryl By any means necessary!" These words still reverberate in the back of my mind. I wonder exactly at the number of how many innocent persons have become a victim of government conspiracies. One knows for sure that the history of such are well documented.
Before the book closes on me and my case, my only hope for justice and freedom depend on four sources of whom only one is truly independent of all, Allah (God), our highest power. Co-defendant Terrance Simpson, the principal actor in the case, co-defendant Terry Jackson, the second primary actor in the case, and State witness Cornelius Hunter, a primary factor in the States case against me.
It is not to be expected of the State or the D.A. to admit that they are wrong, but the TRUTH once told by the defendants will leave no room for misunderstandings. The Government must prove the defendant's membership in a conspiracy by the defendants own words and not by the words of others. See U.S. V. Lahey. 55F3d 1289: U.S. V. Dunigan. 884F2d 1010: and U.S. V. Ott. 741F2d 226....
Rest assures in the philosophy: "Truth crushed to the earth shall rise again." Christopher X. Berry #219210 5/3|05'

If you would like more information or would like to donate money or time helping with Christopher's defense or other projects, email us at swansol@mwt.net or write to FFUP or Christopher himself.. Addresses below

Christopher berry #219210
WSPF; PO Box 9900
Boscobel, Wi 53805

FFUP (Forum for Understanding Prisons)
P.O.Box 285
Richland Center, Wi 53581

to post one Christopher Berry,Innocent

to affidavit proving innocence,post two

to post three,four poems by Christopher

to post four, letter to sentencing judge

To post 6,news article about original crime

News article about the original crime.

2007-05-07T13:58:00.000-07:00

Scanned from original
Racine is familiar with Arkansas dilemma
R. Cierzan of Racine lives 500 miles away from Jonesboro, Ark., but she is all too familiar with that community's heartache — the echoing horror and sorrow from gunshots fired by children. Her nephew, Darnell Williford, was shot to death nearly eight years ago by a pint-size gunman who was boosted onto the roof of a community center by his gangbanger pals.
It was nearly as shocking a crime to Racine as the killings of four school girls and a teacher were to Jonesboro. Add it led to the kind of legal reform in Wisconsin that is now being debated in Arkansas,
Williford's admitted killer, Terrance Simpson, was just 11 when he ended Williford's life with a single sniper style shot to the back.
It looked like cold-blooded murder to those who saw the shooting, but Simpson was too young to face charges under the state's existing juvenile laws — a well-intended, but short-sighted tract known as the Children's Code. Children had to be at least 12 before they could be accused of crimes, which were classified as "delinquent acts" under the old code. Legally, Simpson was still a child, though his lifestyle included very adult interests,
Here are some sentences I wrote about Simpson for this newspaper as juvenile authorities pondered their pre-teen predicament
Metro on the Beat
BY GARY METRO:
"His days often began with a drink and a cigarette- He started fights at school, when he felt like attending class. And he ran with adult members of the Vice Lords street gang until the wee hours of the morning."
Those few words spoke volumes about Simpson at age 11. But they had no impact whatsoever on his legal disposition. The only legal remedy available at the time was to have Simpson declared a child in need of protective services. That allowed for his long term placement in a treatment center, a place he often fled — though it probably featured the best meals, lifestyle, education and structure of his life. It was an odd result for the taking of a life. Some believed Simpson not only got away with murder, he benefited from it.
Joan Korb, an assistant district attorney for Racine County, still is troubled by the murder of Williford and the apparent lack of remorse in Simpson, "We couldn't send him to a locked facility. He even saw himself as_a Korb explained. "he wanted to write a book. He thought he could sell it. " Korb noticed something about
Sinipson that is now happening in the wake of the Jonesboro killings allegedly committed by Mitchell Johnson, 13, and Andrew Golden, 11.
The accused get the get the attention, the concern, the wringing hands and forrowed brow of juvenile experts concerned about the brutal impact of prison on kids who kill. The victims are mourned and quickly buried. the parents weep privately and forever as they are publicly encouraged to get on with their lives.
This troubles Judge Dennis Barry of Racine County Circuit Court who emerged after the Williford trial as perhaps the strongest support of juvenile justice reform in Wisconsin. "Everyone is talking about those poor young kids on Arkansas now." Barry said "Nobody is talking about the victims. Who were the victims? They were four young girls. too. They say that's the curse of the gods to lose a child. " Barry believes the focus should not be solely on the suspects who almost daily are portrayed as victims of troubled backgrounds, abuses, broken relationships or shoddy parenting. "Truth is, they are not victims of anything at the moment. They are accused of deliberate killings that would almost certainly put any grown man on death row.
Korb and Barry believe that Wisconsin's new juvenile just code, which took effect in 1996, allow for rehabilitation of the suspects tailored to the needs of those with petty offenses and those facing murder charges.
Berry recalls the 10- year- old age limit as one of the sticking points against the new code. Some juvenile advocates though it was too low, too punitive, too draconian.
Barry and Korb see it as realistic.
Some young children are capable of horrible, violent crimes. Some of those who are capable prove to be culpable. It may not save the children to put them behind bars but it certainly saves society from their next horror. It is that public protection aspect that gets overlooked by those who fear harsh punishment., Barry said. Instead on the emotional and inaccurate image of putting young children into adult prisons, Berry believes the emphasis should be on making communities safer. He believes the states juvenile justice code has been effective. But he and Ciezan are sorry it took a tragedy to propel the change. "I just wish it could have happened sooner." Said Cierzan, who raised Williford as if he were her own child.
Simpson is serving time for arson and recklessly endangering safety for starting a fire in the county's juvenile detention center in 1997.

If you would like more information or would like to donate money or time helping with Christopher's defense or other projects, email us at swansol@mwt.net or write to FFUP or Christopher himself.. Addresses below

Christopher berry #219210
WSPF; PO Box 9900
Boscobel, Wi 53805

FFUP (Forum for Understanding Prisons)
P.O.Box 285
Richland Center, Wi 53581

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to affidavit proving innocence, post two
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to post four,letter to sentencing judge
to post 5,essay:"politics in Law"