Dantrell Berry Pleads Guilty to 2nd Degree Murder

Greenwood, MS- On January 29, 2019, Leflore Count Judge Margaret Carey-McCray accepted Dantrell Berry’s plea of guilty to the lesser included charge of Second Degree Murder. Berry was originally indicted on April 12, 2016, for the charge of Capital Murder.

Officers with the Greenwood Police Department responded to a call that a body had been found with a gunshot wound on Ash Street in Greenwood. After identifying the body as that of Marquette Woods, detectives began their investigation into who was responsible for his death. Berry was later arrested and during that arrest Greenwood Police officers found a gun in his pocket that was subsequently sent to the Mississippi State Crime Lab to be tested against the bullets found in the victim’s body. The Crime Lab report positively identified the bullets found in the victim’s body as having been fired from the gun found in Berry’s pocket.

While Berry had been indicted for the offense of Capital Murder, the State of Mississippi allowed him to enter a plea to the lessor included offense of Second Degree Murder. Dantrell Berry did not agree to receive any agreed sentence as offered by the State. He instead pled open before Judge McCray, asking her to impose whatever sentence she deemed appropriate. In Mississippi, second degree murder carries a minimum penalty of twenty (20) years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections and a maximum penalty of forty (40) years.

After reviewing the case file and the minimum and maximum penalties for each charge, Judge McCray sentenced Berry to a term of twenty-five (25) years to be served as twenty (20) in the Mississippi Department of Corrections and five (5) years of post-release supervision.

Contact: W. Dewayne Richardson District Attorney, Fourth Circuit Court District | 662-378-2105

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resources

Attorney General

www.ago.state.ms.us

MDOC

www.ms.gov

Federal Prisoners

www.bop.gov

Sex Offender Registry

state.sor.dps.ms.gov

AG Victim Unit

www.ago.state.ms.us

Our Mission

The mission of the District Attorney’s Office for the Fourth Circuit Court, under the direction of
W. Dewayne Richardson, is to seek justice in order to maintain an environment of safety, security and lawful behavior for the citizens of the Fourth District.

The Office of the District Attorney uses lawful and reasonable methods to successfully identify and prosecute those who commit felony crimes. When a crime occurs, the Office of the District Attorney diligently pursues the indictment and conviction of those responsible, while adhering to all rights of the Victim, ensuring the victim is being provided all direct services applicable, and acknowledging all constitutional safeguards for the accused.

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P.O. Box 426
Greenville MS 38702
[P] 662.378.2105
[F] 662.332.4665
generalinfo@msdeltada.com

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Indianola, MS 38751
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[F] 662.887.6275
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Greenwood, MS 38935
[P] 662.453.1089
[F] 662.451.7291
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Judicial Process

Citizen's Involvement in the criminal justice system typically begins with them being a victim, witness, or defendant of a crime. Arrests are made generally by a judge-issued warrant or by a police officer observing a crime in process. Law enforcement may also arrest someone if it has probable cause to believe the person committed a criminal offense. When individuals are arrested they are routinely advised of their Miranda Rights upon arrest, advising them that they have the right to remain silent and that anything they say will be used against them in court. On being questioned, defendants have the right to have their attorney present or to have one appointed if they are indigent.

Felony defendants appear at a first appearance and have the charges reviewed. A judge will inquire if the defendant has an attorney. If low income, the defendant may qualify for a court-appointed lawyer. No plea is entered at this time unless the defendant wishes to plead guilty or waives indictment and has an attorney present. All felony cases are presented to a grand jury in the county that the crime was committed. In the State of Mississippi, only a grand jury has the authority to indict an individual for a felony offense and require them to stand trial for the charges alleged in an affidavit and indictment.

If an indictment is issued, the defendant is bound over to stand trial or enter a guilty plea to the crimes alleged. When a criminal trial occurs all 12 jurors must find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Sentences are decided by Circuit Court Judges in all criminal matters. In most cases a recommendation is made regarding imprisonment, probation, fines and restitution.

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