Woman who allegedly shot 'disrespectful' Red Line passenger gets 4 years

CHICAGO — A lady accused of taking pictures a person who grew to become “disrespectful” on a Crimson Line practice in downtown Chicago was given a four-year sentence on Monday.

Erica Berry, 39, pleaded responsible to a cost of aggravated discharge of a firearm earlier than Decide James Obbish. Prosecutors dropped 4 counts of tried homicide, a extra critical cost that Berry confronted.

In Might 2023, prosecutors stated Berry was sitting alone on a northbound practice when a 35-year-old man strolled over and began a dialog round 8 p.m.

Berry later instructed police that the person was flirting together with her and that she “tried to let him down properly,” in response to prosecutors, who stated CTA surveillance cameras captured a lot of the incident.

However the man endured by sitting down subsequent to Berry, who nudged him away twice earlier than he acquired up and sat close to two different girls on the other aspect of the practice. The verbal back-and-forth between Berry and the person dragged on, prompting the 2 girls to stand up and transfer away, officers stated.

Ultimately, Berry pulled a gun from her purse and shot towards the person. The person didn’t transfer, so Berry fired one other shot, then shot him once more as he tried to run by way of the doorways to the subsequent practice automotive, prosecutors alleged.

A CTA canine safety officer on the Roosevelt station heard gunshots coming from the platform and seemed down the steps as Berry bolted towards him. The guard adopted Berry till Chicago law enforcement officials caught up together with her a couple of block from the station.

CPD officers stated they discovered a .22 caliber revolver in Berry’s purse.

The sufferer underwent surgical procedure for gunshot wounds to his left hip and proper elbow. One among Berry’s protection attorneys argued that she could have been appearing in self-defense of herself and in protection of the opposite girls on the practice.

Her four-year sentence will probably be decreased to 2 years for good conduct. It is going to be decreased by one other 632 days for credit she has earned whereas in custody awaiting trial.

Unique reporting you’ll see nowhere else, paid for by our readers. Click on right here to assist our work.