Petition for Sheriff Tim Hutchison to Cooperate with "America's Most Wanted"

The Berry family has started a petition asking the Knox County Sheriff's Office to cooperate with the Fox TV show "America's Most Wanted" in finding Johnia Berry's killer. Johnia was murdered in Knoxville in 2004. AMW offered to film a segment on Johnia's murder in 2005, but the Sheriff's office under Sheriff Tim Hutchinson refused to cooperate. Hutchison is up for re-election this year. To date, AMW has helped capture 887 fugitives by collecting tips from viewers.

Text of the petition:

"On December 6, 2004, Johnia Hope Berry was brutally stabbed to death in her Knoxville apartment. The murderer has not been located or arrested. In attempt to help law enforcement officials find the killer, Johnia’s family has asked America’s Most Wanted to air Johnia’s case. They have fully agreed to showcase Johnia’s murder, but require cooperation from the Knox County Sheriff’s office to do so. Sheriff Tim Hutchison has, so far, refused to cooperate with the show. Please show your support for our effort in finding Johnia’s killer by signing the petition below. Urge Sheriff Hutchison to fully cooperate with America’s Most Wanted."

Online Petition

Downloadable Petition (196K PDF)

Signed petitions can be mailed to:

Michael Berry
1178 Montague Place Ct.
Lawrenceville, GA 30043

Tennessee DNA Legislation

As it stands at now, TN's law states that when a person is convicted of a felony, their DNA must be submitted to the state. We, Johnia's family, many members of the Knox County Sheriff's Department, and a handful of state representatives, senators and house members, feel that this is inadequate. What is needed is an addendum to the current legislation that will require persons arrested for violent crimes to submit a DNA sample that will then be cross-referenced with a state registry. If the arrestee is found not guilty, their DNA sample will be removed from the registry.

How is this relevant?

DNA evidence from a third party was found at the scene of Johnia's murder. There have been ZERO arrests made to date. Did the killer commit a violent crime before? Since? If so, under the new law, his DNA would be cross-checked against TN's state registry. If the murderer was arrested on charges of a violent crime since, his DNA would match records currently in the database.

Please help us support House Bill 2649 and Senate Bill 2651 by signing the iPetition at the link below.

Thank you - Johnia's family.

Click here to support TN's DNA Legislation.

Victims' Rights Week

April 22 - 29 is the 26th National Crime Victims' Rights Week and the East Tennessee Victims' Rights Task Force is sponsoring a week's worth of events beginning this Saturday, Aprill 22, at the Knoxville Center (aka East Town Mall). The kick-off will last from 10am - 2pm and will be held in the back parking lot of the Knoxville Center.

If you're available, stop by and show your support for victims of violent crimes. Johnia's parents and brother Kelly will be there to support an addendum to TN's current DNA legislation. If you're willing to help, please stop by and sign the petition to pass this very important bill. We would like to meet everyone in person.

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Jim King or Jeanne Dotts Brykalski at 865-215-3877.

"In a memorial garden, a white rose symbolizes justice. A purple ribbon shows support and compassion for crime victims."

Media Coverage

Johnia's parents were in Knoxville yesterday afternoon. They spoke with WBIR and Volunteer TV about their ongoing mission to find the killer and to help change TN's DNA law.

Volunteer TV story here
WBIR story here

My Mom and the Governor

My Mom drove from Atlanta to Johnson City today to meet Gov. Bredesen and thank him for adding to Johnia's reward and to also voice her concerns about TN's DNA registry.

WJHL covered the story here.