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Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Man pleads guilty to second-degree murder and cruelty to children in New Year's Eve stabbing

Ashley Cable & Mark Berryman

news@wsgcradio.com

 

In a significant development concerning a tragic New Year's Eve 2022 stabbing, Andrew Nicholas Berry, a Bowman resident charged with murder in the death of 21-year-old Destiny Autumn Huff, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and cruelty to a child in the first degree.

 

The fatal incident occurred in the early morning hours of Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, prompting a swift response from deputies with the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office. Chief Deputy Darren Scarborough recounted the distressing sequence of events, stating that a 911 call from a relative of the victim summoned authorities to a residence on Bowman Highway at 6:14 a.m. Upon arrival, deputies discovered Destiny Autumn Huff unresponsive, having suffered multiple stab wounds. Despite efforts to save her, she was pronounced dead at 7:38 a.m. by Elbert County Coroner Chuck Almond. He confirmed that Destiny Autumn Huff's murder was the tragic outcome of a domestic dispute.

 

The grim circumstances of the murder were compounded by the fact that the attack took place in front of the couple’s young children, ages 4 and 2, adding a layer of heartbreak and tragedy to the case.

 

Following the incident, a Be-On-The-Lookout (BOLO) was issued for Andrew Nicholas Berry, who was eventually apprehended approximately six hours later in Hart County near Ruckers Grove Church Road.

 

Berry's legal ordeal began when he was indicted by an Elbert County grand jury in February 2023 on multiple charges related to the death of Destiny Autumn Huff. These charges included malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault (family violence), three counts of possession of a knife during the commission of a felony, two counts of cruelty to children in the first degree, and aggravated assault.

 

April 29, 2024 marked a significant milestone in this case as Berry appeared in court and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and cruelty to a child in the first degree. As a result of his plea, he has been sentenced to life with the chance of parole for the murder charge and 20 years in confinement for cruelty to a child in the first degree.

 

Throughout the investigation and legal proceedings, multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Hart County Sheriff’s Office, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Georgia State Patrol, Elbert County Emergency Services, and the Elbert County Coroner’s Office, provided crucial assistance, highlighting the collaborative effort to seek justice for Destiny Autumn Huff and her family.


Elberton man struck, killed while walking on Highway 17

news@wsgcradio.com – An Elbert County man walking along Bowman Highway (Highway 17) is dead after being struck by a vehicle on Saturday evening. He has been identified as 46-year-old Sammy Terrell Smith of Elberton.


According to Trooper Sgt. Ray Dean with Georgia State Patrol Hartwell Post 52, the accident occurred Saturday evening around 8:35 p.m. Dean said Troopers responded to a fatal pedestrian crash on GA 17 near Woodyard Road in Elbert County.


Dean said the preliminary investigation by troopers determined that a white 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix was traveling north on GA 17 and a pedestrian was walking in the northbound lane of GA 17. The front of the Pontiac struck the pedestrian in the northbound lane of GA 17. The pedestrian came to an uncontrolled final rest off the east shoulder of GA 17. The Pontiac came to a controlled final rest, facing northbound, off the east shoulder of GA 17. The pedestrian was transported to Elbert Memorial Hospital by Elbert County EMS and was subsequently pronounced deceased upon arrival.


The driver of the Pontiac who is from Dewy Rose, suffered minor injuries while the juvenile passenger was not injured.


Dean said no charges are expected to be filed against the driver.


Elbert County EMS, the Elbert County Sheriff's Office and Elbert County Fire Department responded to the call along with the Georgia State Patrol.

Elbert County Sheriff’s Office reports three felony arrests and 10 misdemeanor arrests

news@wsgcradio.com – The Elbert County Sheriff’s Office reported the following arrests and incidents for the week of April 22-28, 2024:

 

April 22

Alonzo Drayon Furness, 28, of Decatur was arrested and charged with possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, and possession/use of drug-related objects; and an 18-year-old Elberton man was arrested and charged with driving while license suspended.

 

A 50-year-old Danielsville man was arrested on parole violation charges.

 

Emergency personnel responded to a call on Childston Drive in reference to an injured person.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Horse Farm Road in reference to livestock at large.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Highway 172 East in reference to livestock at large.

 

Deputies responded to a call for an agency assist on Second Street.

 

April 23

A 32-year-old Athens man was arrested on probation violation charges.

 

A 34-year-old Bowman man was arrested on a misdemeanor failure to appear bench warrant.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Old Middleton Road in reference to information on animals.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Willie Black Road in reference to a report of theft by taking that occurred in Hartwell.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Hartwell Highway in reference to a report of a suspicious vehicle.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Oglesby Boulevard Extension in reference to a medical alarm.

 

April 24

A 32-year-old Elberton woman was arrested on probation violation charges.

 

A 34-year-old Hull woman was arrested on probation violation charges.

 

Criminal trespass was reported on Fred Prince Road.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Buck Tail Drive in reference to a cruelty to animals complaint.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Craft Ferry Road in reference to a report of harassment and reckless conduct.

 

Deputies responded to a call on North Oliver Street in reference to a delayed accident report that occurred in another jurisdiction.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Allen Logan Road in reference to a vehicle in the roadway.

 

Deputies responded to an animal call on Middleton Church Road.

 

Deputies responded to an agency assist call on Georgia White Road.

 

Deputies responded to an alarm on Bowman Highway.

 

April 25

Andrew Brittain, 32, of Elberton was arrested and charged with four counts of aggravated assault; first degree criminal damage to property; second degree criminal damage to property; criminal street gang activity; possession of a firearm/knife during commission of a felony; receipt/possession/transfer of a firearm by a convicted felon; unauthorized discharge of a firearm within 50 yards of a public highway.

 

Jacob Ryan Hall, 38, of Elberton was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of a firearm/knife during the commission of a felony; and possession of methamphetamine.

 

A 37-year-old Elberton man was arrested on probation violation charges.

 

A 34-year-old Dewy Rose woman was arrested on probation violation charges.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Athens Highway in reference to a pedestrian in the roadway.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Longstreet Road in reference to a runaway juvenile.

 

Deputies conducted a motorist assist call on Anderson Highway.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Forest Avenue in reference to a suspicious person.

 

Deputies responded to a call at the Elbert County Detention Center in reference to a medical issue with an inmate.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Hulmes Chapel Road in reference to a suicide threat.

 

Deputies conducted a welfare check on Forest Avenue.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Bullards Ferry Road in reference to a missing person and the procedure for taking a child into custody/detention of an unruly child.

 

April 26

A 28-year-old Abbeville, South Carolina woman was arrested on two probation violation charges.

 

A 25-year-old Elberton woman was arrested on a misdemeanor failure to appear bench warrant.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Country Club Road in reference to a possible finger being found.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Campbell Street Extension in reference to a domestic dispute.

 

Deputies assisted a stranded motorist on East Railroad Street in Bowman.

 

Deputies responded to a call in reference to a noise complaint on Thirteen Forks Road.

 

Deputies conducted a road safety check point on Anderson Highway.

 

Deputies conducted a road safety check point on East Railroad Street.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Harmony Road in reference to property retrieval.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Lexington Highway in reference to a downed utility line.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Ruckersville Road in reference to someone discharging a firearm.

 

April 27

Disorderly conduct was reported on Shallow Creek Road.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Washington Highway in reference to an overdue motorist.

 

Theft by taking was reported on West Church Street.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Middleton Church Road in reference to an unresponsive person.

 

Deputies responded to a call for medical assistance on Dunn Worley Road.

 

Deputies responded to a call on North Broad Street in Bowman in reference to a noise complaint.

 

Deputies responded to an animal call on Huntington Drive.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Cumming Drive in reference to a verbal domestic dispute.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Robinwood Lane in reference to loud music.

 

April 28

Battery was reported on West Railroad Street in Bowman.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Red Hill Road in reference to a report of battery/simple battery (family violence).

 

Criminal trespass was reported on Limo Road.

 

Deputies responded to a call on Red Hill Road in reference to a report of aggravated assault (family violence; and leaving the scene of an accident/hit-and-run.

 

Deputies provided a motorist assist on Hartwell Highway.

 

Theft by taking was reported on Willie Black Road.

 

Criminal trespass was reported on Bennett Road in Bowman.

Wednesday, May 1

  • Elberton Farmer's Market, 7:30-11 a.m., Elberton Square


Thursday, May 2

  • Blue Devil Drill Team @ Nationals, Daytona Beach, FL


Friday, May 3

  • First Friday Concert Series: Duckapalooza feat. Second String All-Stars, 7 p.m., Elberton Square
  • Unsung Hero movie, 7 p.m., Elbert Theatre


Saturday, May 4

  • Blue Devil track @ State Sectionals
  • 6th Annual Deer Creek Retreat Golf Tournament, 8 a.m., Highland Walk
  • 9th Annual Duck Derby & Picnic at the Park, Ducks released at 11 a.m., Granite City Park Rotary Pavilion
  • Unsung Hero movie, 7 p.m., Elbert Theatre


Sunday, May 5

  • Unsung Hero movie, 2 p.m., Elbert Theatre


Send Community Calendar event notices to

news@wsgcradio.com or call 706-283-1400

Today's Obituaries

Sammy Terrell Smith, 46, died Saturday, April 27, 2024. At the family's request, no public services will be held. Full obituary


Henry L. Rucker, 71, of Elberton died Saturday, April 27, 2024. Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 in the Memorial Chapel of Berry Funeral Home. Full obituary

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