LANCASTER, PA — Charles Berry, a 58-year-old resident of Lancaster, was sentenced last Friday to 10 to 20 years in state prison. The sentence was handed down by Lancaster County Judge Margaret Miller, following Berry’s second-strike conviction for aggravated assault related to an incident in October 2021.
Berry faced trial over a three-day period in January 2024, where he was found guilty of the aggravated assault charge. This recent conviction marks Berry’s second significant run-in with the law; his first-strike offense occurred in 1998, leading to a manslaughter conviction in 2001 for the death of a 2-year-old child.
Assistant District Attorney Christine Wilson, who prosecuted the case, highlighted Berry’s history of violence and inability to manage his anger. “The defendant is unable to control his anger and violent outbursts, and as a result, an elderly man was brutally assaulted,” Wilson stated, asserting that Berry’s incarceration would contribute to the safety of Lancaster County’s streets.
The October 2021 assault took place in the vestibule shared by Berry and the victim’s apartments on the 500 block of N. Queen Street. According to police reports, Berry confronted the elderly victim over alleged damage to his vehicle. In a subsequent admission to law enforcement officers, Berry confessed to repeatedly punching the victim in the torso, resulting in severe injuries including three broken ribs and a punctured lung. The victim, however, denied causing any harm to Berry’s car.
Lancaster City Bureau of Police, led by Officer Joseph Graczyk, responded to the scene after receiving reports of the assault. Their investigation culminated in charges being filed against Berry, leading to his conviction and the recent sentencing.
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