Sheriff responds to pressure by Johnia Berry family for meeting

Sheriff responds to pressure by Johnia Berry family for meeting

February 21, 2006

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- Knox County Sheriff Tim Hutchison is responding Tuesday to pressure by the family in Johnia Berry's unsolved murder case for a meeting.

The family posted a letter on their Web site, johniaberry.org, Tuesday saying they want a meeting with the sheriff.

The 21-year-old Berry was stabbed to death in the early morning hours of December 6, 2004, only 12 days before she was to receive a degree with honors from ETSU.

She was attacked by a knife-wielding man in her Knoxville apartment and died in the hallway of her apartment building after banging on neighbors' doors for help. None responded.

Johnia's roommate, Jason Aymami, was also stabbed but he fled the apartment, calling 911 from a convenience store.

The letter reads, "Nearly 15 months have passed since Johnia was murdered and we've done everything in our power to make sure the responsible person is brought to justice. We have handed out fliers, paid for billboard space, and have tried to gain as much exposure as possible through the media."

"...one thing we would like to do is have a meeting with Sheriff Tim Hutchison. Sure, the sheriff met with Mike and me on one occasion, but now many months have passed and our countless calls to the sheriff's office have garnered absolutely no response from Mr. Hutchison."

The detectives working on Johnia's case have been in steady contact with us since December 6, and we would like to thank each of them," the letter says, "but there are times when we have questions and concerns that only the sheriff can address."

"Does Mr. Hutchison feel that it's not worth his time to return our calls or meet with us because we don't live in Knoxville?" the letter asks.

"Our family continues to struggle through the grief of losing Johnia, especially when the responsible person is still out there somewhere. We will not give up our fight to bring the murderer to justice. We need Johnia's killer to be captured so we can begin to mend what's left of our lives."

The letter is signed Mike and Joan Berry.

6 News asked the sheriff's office Tuesday about the family's request. Sheriff Hutchison says detectives "communicate with the family on a weekly basis, sometimes daily."

The sheriff also says he will be glad to meet with the family in the future.