Assault Charges in Iowa Case

I read your Feb. 3 article about Jeff Berryhill with great surprise (“Lovers’ Spat Spins Directly Into Mandatory Sentencing Laws”). Although I was quoted several times in the article, I have never spoken with your reporter. If The Times had bothered to phone me, you would have discovered the following facts:

* Jeff Berryhill assaulted Randy Jones twice on the night in question, once on a public street, and the next time after breaking into Jones’ home. The latter resulted in a wound to Jones’ eye requiring five stitches to close. That punch nearly hit the head of Amber Baddley, whom your article portrays as Berryhill’s “first love.”

* After the first assault, Berryhill went to a beer party and recruited the assistance of a former Marine, Colby Sheda, with the stated purpose of “kicking Jones’ ass.” Both Berryhill and Sheda were under the legal age to consume the beer they were drinking.

* Sheda, who had been drinking, then drove Berryhill to Jones’ residence. Both men broke into Jones’ residence.

* Sheda was convicted of third-degree burglary and received probation.

* Randy Jones never resisted either assault, in fear that he would jeopardize his enlistment in the Marines for fighting.

* Berryhill turned down a plea offer that would have reduced his sentence to five years. The minimum time served in Iowa last year for the offense offered was just over nine months.

RICHARD MEYER

Emmet County Asst. Attorney

Estherville, Iowa