johniaberry.org

National Crime Victims' Right Week 2010

rlswafford59@gmail.com (Remonda) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:19:00 +0000

4th Annual National Crime Victims' Walk

Where: Volunteer Landing Center Park
Date: April 18, 2010
Time: 2:00 pm

Please call 865-924-3480 for further information.

Sponsored by HOPE for Victims

For directions to Volunteer Landing please click link below

http://www.ci.knoxville.tn.us/parks/volunteer.asp

TAKE ACTION NOW ! CONTACT YOUR GEORGIA REPRESETATIVE TODAY

rlswafford59@gmail.com (Remonda) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:28:00 +0000

To contact your State Legislators, please use the following link

www.congress.org/congressorg/home

Simply enter your zip code in the box on the right of this page where it says “Find Your Officials”, to identify your State Legislators. Congress has already passed a federal law for arrestee testing, so communication with your federal representatives in congress is unnecessary. Please feel free to use the following text, with or without your own revisions, when communicating with your State Legislators:

PASS "Johnia Berry Act "

GA House Bill 1033

GEORGIA NEEDS THE DNA ARRESTEE LEGISLATION

Please do not wait another year to pass a law to require DNA to be taken at the same time as fingerprints for felony arrests! People in police custody have no right to conceal their identity, and we have every right to know if they have been involved in other crimes.

We have a right to be safe on our own streets. Every year we wait to pass this law, we expose everyone in our communities to the possibility that a serial criminal will be unwittingly released by police and allowed to commit more crimes.

We cannot blame law enforcement if their hands are tied by laws that do more to protect criminals, than they do to protect the rest of the public. Please do not let another person be needlessly victimized by our failure to treat DNA like a fingerprint.

Federal laws already require that states must provide a manner of expunge for a person who is arrested but not convicted of a crime.

This is a fair balance that protects both the public and the rights of the accused. Please pass DNA Arrest laws now!

Sincerely,

Name

Johnia's Story

rlswafford59@gmail.com (Remonda) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:22:00 +0000

Johnia Berry's friends and family say she was a vibrant beauty, very ambitious, with an endless supply of kindness and generosity.

It all started during the early morning hours of December 6, 2004 around 4am, when someone entered Johnia’s Brandon Park Apartment looking to steal car keys. When the thief did not find what he was looking for in the living room, he went into Johnia's bedroom and brutally stabbed her.

Johnia was able to make it out of the apartment and stumbled down two flights of stairs, knocking on neighbors' doors seeking help. No one responded and she collapsed and died a short time later.

We were glad to find out that there was DNA left at the scene of the crime, but had no idea that the National Data Base lacked critical information to help solve crimes.That’s when we began working to make a change in the laws in Tennessee.

On May 9, 2007 “The Johnia Berry Act 2007" was passed. The new law states that
when a person is arrested for a violent felony, such person shall have a biological specimen for the purpose of DNA analysis taken.

After waiting three long years a DNA match lead to the arrest of Taylor Lee Olson on September 24, 2007, for the murder of Johnia Berry.

It is my hope that sharing the story of Johnia's murder will bring awareness to the fact that DNA arrestee laws should be passed in all states. And my prayer is that another family will not have to endure the pain of losing a loved one.

Please help make your state a safer place for you and your family!

DNA on Felony Arrest

All 50 states and the federal government currently have passed legislation to collect DNA on felony conviction. That is not enough! It is critically important that DNA be collected on arrest.

We all need to work hard to ensure that all 50 states enact legislation to mandate collection of DNA on arrest. Currently, 21 states (See chart below) have passed some form of DNA on felony arrest legislation.

Is this Constitutional?

The DNA profile in CODIS, the forensic DNA database absolutely DOES NOT have any information on the individuals’ medical or psychological history. It does not reveal the race. There is no private health information. It is only a unique identification tool for law enforcement; much more exact than fingerprints or mug shots. Federal courts have determined DNA collected by law enforcement is only for identification and citizens are required to identify themselves to law enforcement officers. It is not a violation of a person's right to privacy. Collection of DNA by swabbing the inside of a person's cheek is less invasive and inconvenient than taking finger and palm prints. On a felony arrest, the officer has already established "probable cause." It is not "an unreasonable search and seizure" and should not require a search warrant from a judge. It is the modern day fingerprint.

The US District Court in California on May 27th, 2009 upheld the constitutionality of expanding the collection of DNA to those who have been arrested. This will be very encouraging to those states where there were concerns of constitutionality.

Why collect DNA on ALL felony arrests?

Collecting DNA on felony arrests allows law enforcement to gain information on the possibility of the suspect being involved in other crimes. If a suspect is arrested for a rape, it would be incredibly inefficient to wait until that person is convicted for the rape before collecting and processing the DNA only to find out that their DNA matches the DNA evidence from multiple rape victims. Currently, many of our court systems are so backed up that the conviction could take years. A victim deserves to get answers as soon as possible. Delays in prosecution and investigation of other crimes the person may have been involved in will cost money, time and pain. It could result in mistrials, cases being dropped, loss of witnesses, loss of evidence, and in some cases, statute of limitations expiring. No plea bargains should be struck until the DNA has been input into CODIS. Timing is critical. It can also exonerate the innocent.

Studies show there is a 40% chance that burglaries and other non-violent crimes are being committed by someone who has already committed violent crimes, perhaps even murder. If they haven't, there is an 80% chance that they eventually will commit a violent crime. That means 40% of these non-violent crime scenes could have evidence that would lead us to a match with evidence from a serious assault, rape or murder. It is important that our laws allow us to collect DNA from ALL FELONY arrests. We need to use this to our advantage and start balancing the scales of justice.

Can States afford to expand DNA testing now?

States can't afford not to collect DNA on Felony Arrest! It is shortsighted to not recognize how much money will be saved. Some states, to help with costs, have added fees to parking tickets and to criminal fines in order to create long term funding sources. Federal funding is available to assist states and to help increase the size of DNA laboratories. Funding is also available to help with backlogs. Keep in mind, although initially many more DNA samples will be collected, most of the suspects arrested are repeat offenders. So the increase will be temporary and then decline, as will the number of crimes being committed. Again, investigation times, prosecution time and court time will be reduced. It will result in an incredible savings.

21 States Have Passed The Law

Yellow recognizing states with DNA laws.

Alabama	Florida
Alaska	Kansas
Arizona	Louisiana
Arkansas	Maryland
California	Michigan
Colorado	Minnesota

Missouri	Texas
New Mexico	Vermont
North Dakota	Virginia
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee

DNA Saves

rlswafford59@gmail.com (Remonda) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:16:00 +0000

"Every day innocent people needlessly become victims of violent crimes. Most of these are committed by repeat offenders. By passing state legislation that enables law enforcement to collect DNA from felony arrestees, at the same time as fingerprints, your state can catch criminals sooner. That means you can prevent most of these crimes, save more lives and provide more protection to the innocent."

On May 30, 2007, Governor Phil Bredesen signed a bill into Tennessee law that requires anyone arrested for a violent crime to give a DNA sample. Named "The Johnia Berry Act of 2007", the new law requires DNA samples to be taken from persons booked for violent felonies after January 1, 2008.

Mike and I feel that it is imperative for everyone to know how important it is for the safety of your loved ones to have DNA Laws in all states. To date, fifteen states across the nation have enacted DNA legislation that will help prevent violent crimes and potentially solve crimes that have gone cold. Please write to you state legislators to let them know how important it is to enact DNA laws in your state!

Please visit dnasaves.org to find out more about this crucial push to pass DNA legislation across the country.

Mike & Joan Berry
Lawrenceville, GA
770-823-7983
jberry5916@bellsouth.net

First Annual Holiday Remembrance Tree 2009

rlswafford59@gmail.com (Remonda) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 19:23:00 +0000

We want to thank everyone who helped make this years First Annual Holiday Remembrance Tree a success. Please call Joan Berry at 770-823-7983 or Remonda Swafford-Alleyne 865-335-5697 to have your ornament returned or you may pick them up at the 4th Annual National Victims Rights Walk, April 18, 2010.

Johnia Hope Berry Remembered

rlswafford59@gmail.com (Remonda) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:09:00 +0000

Joan Berry on Wednesday, July 29, 2009, cut the ribbon to celebrate the grand opening of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's new regional office and crime laboratory for East Tennessee. This was a tremendous victory approximately two years after the passing of "Johnia Berry's DNA Act 2007". Part of the facility was named after Johnia Berry, murdered in Knoxville in 2004. The Berry family successfully lobbied for tougher DNA laws in Tennessee.

Joan Berry and her husband, Mike, helped push for greater funding for the TBI and its forensic work as they waited nearly three years for an answer in their daughter's, Johnia Hope Berry's, murder.

Knoxville News Sentinel

Governor Phil Bredesen signed a bill into law that requires anyone arrested for a violent crime to give a DNA sample. Named "The Johnia Berry Act of 2007", the new law requires DNA samples to be taken from persons booked for violent felonies after January 1, 2008.

To learn more, read here.

Families walk, honor loved ones who fell victim to violent crimes

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Thu, 07 May 2009 02:27:00 +0000

Family members and friends of victims of violent crime gathered Sunday to remember their loved ones at the third annual Victims' Remembrance Walk at Volunteer Landing Park.

Knox News Link

National Crime Victims' Rights Week

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:39:00 +0000

25 Years of Rebuilding Lives:
Celebrating the Victims of Crime Act
April 26–May 2, 2009

Each April since 1981, OVC (Office for Victims of Crime) has helped lead communities throughout the country in their observances of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW). Rallies, candlelight vigils, and a host of commemorative activities are held each year to promote victims' rights and to honor crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf.

To commemorate National Victim's Rights Week, there will be a gathering and walk at 2pm on Sunday, April 26th at Volunteer Landing Park. Please join us as we pay tribute to crime victims and recognize the devastating impact of violence on individuals, communities and our nation as a whole.

Please click on the following link to learn more about the NCVRW.

OVC - National Crime Victims' Rights Week Site

DNA Saves

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 17:10:00 +0000

A heartfelt thank you!

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 00:03:00 +0000

We would like to thank everyone who donated toys and helped with this year's Toy Drive. Thanks to you hundred's of children will
have a brighter Christmas!

ETSU Buccaneers honors Johnia Berry

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:50:00 +0000

JOHNSON CITY (Nov. 17, 2008) – The holiday spirit is alive and well at ETSU, as the Buccaneer men’s basketball team and the entire ETSU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will honor the memory of a former student and help bring joy to area children with a special toy drive during the Bucs’ game with Wingate Thursday night, Nov. 20 inside Memorial Center. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

All donations will go to children in the Johnson City area, and ETSU will proudly deliver the toys in Berry’s name.

“ETSU athletics is happy to help out such a great cause,” said Sara Hacker, ETSU’s athletic marketing and promotions coordinator. “To help children in need throughout the holidays is a great gift to give the community.”

Donations as part of the Johnia Berry Toy Drive can also be made at local Food City stores throughout the Christmas season.

Article link

2008 Johnia Berry Memorial Toy Drive

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:35:00 +0000

The 2008 Johnia Berry Memorial Toy Drive will begin November 3rd and run through December 5th. Our goal is to collect toys for underprivileged children in the Tri-Cities area. If you would like to help us in our cause, please drop off new, unwrapped toys at any Food City location in the Tri-Cities.

Thanks for helping us make the holidays a little brighter for local children.

Johnson City Press story link

Victims' Rights Walk

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 01:00:00 +0000

Volunteer Landing Park
Sunday, April 13, 2008
2:00pm

To commemorate National Crime Victims' Rights Week, there will be a 5k walk on Sunday, April 13 at Volunteer Landing Park. Please join us as we pay tribute to crime victims and recognize the devastating impact of violence on individuals, communities and our nation as a whole.

This year's theme, "Justice for Victims. Justice for All", emphasizes the importance of promoting and ensuring the rights of every victim of crime in our communities.

Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey will update the community on "The Johnia Berry Act of 2007" and TBI Director Mark Gwyn will have the new mobile crime lab on display. Survivors of crime and the families and friends of victims are invited to participate in the "Survivor Speak Out". Please bring pictures or other information for the memorial table display.

National Crime Victims' Rights Week runs from April 13 - 19.

Taylor Olson commits suicide

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:49:00 +0000

Taylor Olson, the man arrested for the murder of Johnia, hanged himself in jail on March 24, 2008. Olson's trial was set to take place on July 28 of this year.

Story links

Tri Cities

WATE

Volunteer TV

WBIR

Take Back the Night Event

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:38:00 +0000

Campus Advocates against Sexual Violence at East Tennessee University will host " Take Back the Night" 5K Road Race on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 8:30am on the campus of ETSU.

Take Back the Night is an internationally recognized program for the purpose of raising awareness to end domestic and sexual violence against women and children.

For more details, please visit etsu.edu/wrcetsu

LOCATION: Old College of Medicine Building
REGISTRATION: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
RACE START TIME: 8:30 a.m.

For registration information, contact Kim Bushore-Maki or Kristen Dickens, ETSU Counseling Center, at 423-439-4841 or visit runtricities.org where the registration form is available for download.

Please join us during this event.

Taylor Olson trial delayed

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 13:20:00 +0000

Story links

WBIR
WATE
Knox News

April 13 - Johnia Hope Berry Memorial Walk

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 13:09:00 +0000

In honor of Johnia, we will be holding a memorial walk during National Crime Victims Rights Week at 2pm on April 13th at Volunteer Landing Park.

Please join us in remembering those who have been lost to violent crimes.

National Crime Victims Rights Week
April 13 - 19, 2008

Christmas Toy Drive: Update

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 23:05:00 +0000

Over the past month, toys were collected in East Tennessee for the Johnia Berry Memorial Toy Drive. Yesterday, those toys made their way to a number of local organizations in Knoxville and the Tri-Cities. We would like to thank everyone who made the toy drive possible and to those who donated toys, money and time. We'd also like to thank the number of organizations who offered space at their businesses for the collection bins.

So, thank you all for making the Johnia Berry Christmas Toy Drive a success!

Find out more about the toy drive by clicking on the links below:

WVLT
WJHL
Knox News

Christmas Toy Drive: Nov. 1 - Dec. 1

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 03:12:00 +0000

Since Johnia devoted her life to working with children, a number of people in the Knoxville and Tri-Cities communities have put together a toy drive in Johnia's memory to help needy children in the area have a more pleasant Christmas season. There are a number of local businesses that will be accepting toys that will be distributed to a number of children's organizations during the first week of December. If you're willing and able to contribute to this cause, please drop off new, unwrapped toys at any of the locations listed below.

Thanks for helping us make the holidays a little brighter for needy children.

Knoxville area:

Borders Books & Music
- 202 Morrell Road
- 11285 Parkside Drive

WATE TV-6
- 1306 North Broadway

Earth Fare
- 10903 Parkside Drive

Lunch Box
- 9050 Cross Park Drive
- 800 South Gay Street (First Tennessee Plaza)

Zales Jewelers
- West Town Mall location

Stir Fry Cafe
- 7240 Kingston Pike
- 110001 Parkside Drive

Rugrats Children Resale
- 6113 Chapman Hwy

Mag-Pies Bakery
- 112 South Central Street

Sassy’s Repeat Boutique
- 6105 Chapman Hwy

Farragut Christian Church
- 138 Admiral Road

Shelley’s House of Style
- 11044 Huglan Drive

Tri-Cities Area:

Food City
All Tri-Cities, Abingdon & Lebanon, VA locations

Target
2116 North Roan Street, Johnson City

Stir Fry Cafe
- 3020 Franklin Terrace Drive, Johnson City

ARREST MADE!

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 17:18:00 +0000

Taylor Olson, 22, has been arrested for the murder of Johnia Berry.

Olson's seven count indictment charges him with first-degree murder, attempted murder, murder in the commission of a theft, murder in the commission of a robbery, murder in the commission of a burglary and two counts of aggravated burglary.

Links to a few online articles are listed below:

WBIR

WATE

WVLT

Knox News

Media Coverage

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 15:22:00 +0000

WATE ran a story last night on the 11 o'clock news. In short, a local businessman wasn't satisfied with the way his tip was handled by the Knox County Sheriff's Office.

Click below to read the story.

WATE Link

Johnia's 24th Birthday has passed...

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 01:31:00 +0000

...but it is still her death that remains front and center in the minds of those in her family.

This past weekend, Joan and a number of family, friends and volunteers hit the streets to distribute information about Johnia's case. It's been nearly three years since Johnia was brutally murdered here in Knoxville. The question is - are we any closer today than then to solving the case?

With Tim Hutchison out of office, there's a new sheriff in town - Jimmy "JJ" Jones - and we'd all like to think that Johnia's case would take a positive turn. Maybe now we can get the cooperation that is so desperately needed to bring a resolution to Johnia's murder.

After all, Johnia was murdered and murdered in a brutal fashion. Johnia was stabbed multiple times. Multiple!

Regardless of what any of us out there think, there are a couple of constants:

Johnia's killer is still on the streets.

Johnia's killer remains a free man.

And what about the killer?

Maybe he's in Knoxville. Maybe somewhere else.

Johnia's brother thinks the killer's still in the area. Chief Bobby Waggoner isn't quite so sure.

And yet, nearly three years after her killer walked away free, Johnia's family and friends remain diligent in spreading the word in the most crowded venues.

When it's all said and done, there's another constant:

Johnia's family will not rest until the killer is brought to justice. And if that means passing out fliers until the end of time, so be it. If it means something else entirely, well, then that's what it means.

Johnia's Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 14:39:00 +0000

Today would have been Johnia's 24th birthday. We'd like to thank everyone who has offered their support and prayers over the past 33 months.

Happy birthday, Johnia.

August 25 Event

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 13:28:00 +0000

Family and friends of Johnia will be gathering on Saturday, August 25 to distribute information in effort to generate leads. There will be a group on site throughout the day to hand out fliers and magnets to those who'd like to help distribute them across the area. As August 26 is Johnia's birthday, we'll also be honoring her memory.

If you have some spare time and are willing to help out, please join us.

Saturday, August 25
on the lawn at Church Street United Methodist Church
900 Henley Street
Knoxville, TN 37902

From 10am - 4pm

If you'd like a copy of the event flier to print and post, please choose one of the options below.

Printable Flier PDF
Printable Flier JPG

Petition Knox County Sheriff's Department

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 19:49:00 +0000

An online petition has been started once again to ask that the Knox County Sheriff's Department allow outside resources to help with Johnia's case. The TBI has offered assistance in aiding with the investigation, but they must be invited by the sheriff, or the Knox County DA.

Also, media outlets like AMW and 48 Hours have also shown great interest in covering Johnia's case. National coverage could seriously help in finding the killer, especially if he is no longer in Tennessee. But, as with the TBI, the producers of these shows require the cooperation of the sheriff's department, but they have received none.

If you have a minute, please check the link below to go to the petition. And, as always, thank you for your continued support.

Update: The last day to sign the petition was August 5th. Thanks to everyone who signed it.