Thursday, February 25, 1999
Berry wrote he found peace
Lawyer helped compose letter before execution
BY MARK WILLIAMS
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS — Wilford Berry Jr. wrote the day before his death that God had given him peace and serenity for his final hours, a public defender said Wednesday at a memorial service.
“Praise be to the All Mighty for his forgiveness of me as a sinner,” Mr. Berry wrote. “He has power to comfort and sooth (sic) my soul that cries in pain. The All Mighty hears my cries and hears my prayers and listens to my soul.”
“He has opened my heart and let me hear the words of love from my family and friend. The All Mighty has given me peace and serenity in my final hours. For all of this I sing praises to the Lord.”
Mr. Berry, 36, died by lethal injection Friday at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility near Lucasville for the Dec. 1, 1989, killing of Cleveland baker Charles Mitroff. He was known as “The Volunteer” because he waived appeals that would have prolonged his life.
Public defender Cynthia Yost, who spent much of Friday with Mr. Berry, read at the funeral “Wilford's Psalm,” the six-sentence statement which she helped him write.
Ms. Yost described Mr. Berry as being “mad at the world” when she was first assigned to his case in 1992.
“At the end, he was a friend at peace with himself,” she said.
The remains of Mr. Berry, who was cremated Monday, were in a small, rectangular box at the front of the Broad Street Presbyterian Church on top of a wooden pedestal.
To the right on a wooden table were five pictures, showing him from childhood through adulthood. The pictures were surrounded by four pots of flowers and plants.
About 80 people said prayers and sang during the one-hour service. His mother, Jennie Franklin, and sister, Elaine Quigley, both of whom fought his wishes to die, did not attend.
The Rev. David Van Dyke said Mr. Berry was asked before his death whether he wanted a service. “He simply said, "That sounds nice,'” Rev. Mr. Van Dyke said.
Mr. Berry's life should be “lamented because it is disturbing at every possible level,” the Rev. Mr. Van Dyke said.
He said Mr. Berry was mocked as a child because of a speech impediment and crossed eyes.
Then he was abused sexually, physically and mentally. The last time he saw his father, his father held a knife to Mr. Berry and other family members, the Rev. Mr. Van Dyke said.
Berry became a changed person, the Rev. Mr. Van Dyke said.
“Through it all, in spite of it all, he was a better person than the world will ever know,” the Rev. Mr. Van Dyke said. “Though the world remained angry with him, he was no longer angry at the world.”
Rename Sabin? His wife hopes no
Dr. Sabin gave his name; he did not sell it
Indiana man arrested in church fires
Fire door saved church, marked suspect
School board vows to fight for Ten Commandments
Youngsters a tad fuzzy on their thou-shalts
Riverfront should be fun, people tell planning group
HAVE AN IDEA?
Convention center expansion has critic
Minister's spouse accuses ex-wife of pushing allegations
Passerby saves sinking motorist
State probe of gas explosion says CG&E violated regulations
Strong-mayor plan still one vote shy of making ballot
Bride, er, moose is wearing white
Bus drivers to return today
Crazy to be Cowboys
Hill gets record haul of Grammys
Grammy winners
Pilarczyk: Faith needs practice to stay vital
Convention center's unsung hero
Abandoned baby's mom faces more mental tests
Berry wrote he found peace
Biblical group shares its plans
Business aims to help schools as area grows
DNA clears dead man in killing
Fire at Scout camp considered suspect
Florence says 'no' to new hotel
Group adopts ship named for MU grad
Husband remains jailed in attack on wife
Lower profile pleases Boehner
Man found with teen faces court
Man who allegedly corrupted girl, 16, in jail
Parents, students back charter school
Portman's red-tape-cutting act OK'd
80-plus railroad track crossers cited
Senator joins push for safety wall
'Thunder' to hit Broadway
TRISTATE DIGEST
Warren reduces welfare cost 87%
West Chester concept OK'd
