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Newport News Sgt. convicted of voluntary manslaughter for 2019 fatal shooting

Sgt Pearson .png
Posted at 5:07 PM, Sep 01, 2022
and last updated 2022-09-01 18:05:31-04

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - A Newport News Police Department Sergeant has been convicted of voluntary manslaughter in connection with a December 2019 fatal shooting.

Thursday afternoon, Sgt. Albin Pearson was found guilty by a jury of voluntary manslaughter for the killing of Henry Kistler Berry III, a 43-year-old white man of Newport News.

This is a reduced charge as he was initially charged with second-degree murder.

Sergeant Pearson and another officer, Dwight Pitterson were involved in the shooting of Berry back in 2019 after a struggle involving a taser.

Pitterson was acquitted of all charges in connection with this incident in September 2021.

Pearson's sentencing is scheduled for December 9. Voluntary manslaughter is a class five felony punishable by one to ten years in prison.