Athens Review, Athens, Texas

Breaking News

Local News

Discussion

September 30, 2009

Poynor man’s trial set to begin Friday

By Rich Flowers News Editor

Trial is set to begin Friday in Conroe for a Henderson County man charged with participating in a Montgomery County killing two years ago.

Joshua Blake Berryhill, 27, of Poynor is one of four defendants indicted for capital murder in connection with the shooting of 52-year-old Gregory Willkomm of Magnolia. Berryhill is the last of the defendants to face trial for the Sept. 27, 2007 offense.

Two of the defendants, James Stallings and Kasey Erin Kantak, of the Houston area, were each convicted of capital murder, and sentenced to life in prison earlier this year.

On Sept. 24, Joshua Tarrant, 27, of Frankston was acquitted on a capital murder charge. According to the Magnolia County District’s Office, Berryhill’s trial is on the docket for 8:15 a.m. Friday in 410th District Court.

Berryhill was arrested on a murder warrant by Coffee City Police in October, 2007. He was booked into the Henderson County Jail with bond set at $750,000.

According to various police reports, Willkomm disappeared from his home Sept. 28, and was later found dead in Harris County.

Law enforcement officers in several counties participated in arresting eight suspects in connection with the case.

Five suspects, Tammy Monzingo, Johnny Monzingo, Robert Joseph Fath Jr., Kantak and Trussell, were charged with attempting to use the victim’s credit cards and identifying information.

Several of the suspects were said to have ties with the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas a gang with members in and out of the prison system.

Berryhill, at the time of his arrest, was also issued warrants for minor offenses. In December, 2006, Berryhill was indicted in Anderson County for possession of a small quantity of a controlled substance, stemming from a June, 5, 2006 arrest, according to information from the Anderson County District Attorney’s Office.

According to a published story in the Palestine Herald, testimony introduced at Tarrant’s trial showed that Willkomm died as a result of a single shot to the back of the neck from a .25-caliber automatic pistol.

The victim’s burned body was found two days later by authorities next to the San Jacinto River in Harris County, about 20 miles from the murder site.

Text Only
Local News
  • Fair Park sound system gets AEDC boost

    The Athens Economic Corporation Board took formal action Thursday morning that should result in a stipend of up to $35,000   to match a Ginger Murchison Foundation matching grant for helping finance the Henderson County Regional Fair Park Complex new sound equipment.

    February 9, 2012

  • Scout big boy.JPG Scouts ready to knock doors locally

    Once again Athens will be seeing these Scouts Saturday as they knock on doors to collect food in BSA’s National Scouting for Food Drive. Shown are Tiger Cub Hunter Kaufman and Eagle Scout Michael McCluskey. Also shown is Sierra Kaufman, one of several American Heritage Girls who will be joining the boys in their efforts to collect food.  In the past few years, despite the economy, over 1,000 cans each year have been collected and donated to Henderson County’s Food Pantry.  So when you see these boys and girls in uniform this weekend, open your hearts and help feed the hungry in Henderson County.

    February 9, 2012 3 Photos

  • CROSS ROADS.jpg ‘National Red Wear on Friday’ day in Cross Roads

    It was last Friday that Cross Roads High School staff and students participated in “National Red Wear on Friday.” The first Friday in February was dedicated for heart-disease awareness.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo

  • Churches to join with community at Cain Center

    Churches from across Henderson County will come together on Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Cain Center in Athens to provide services to all members of the Henderson County community. 
    “This all grew out of the community coming together during the nativity scene controversy in December,” said the Rev. Eric Graham from Sands Springs Baptist Church.

    February 9, 2012

  • HCSO, Trinidad Police arrest man for meth possession

    TRINIDAD – Henderson County deputies and Trinidad police arrested a Henderson County man for possession of a controlled substance Tuesday in this community.

    February 9, 2012

  • Downed airplane located

    The Henderson County Sheriff's Office and Texas Department of Public Safety Game Wardens assisted in locating an plane that went down in Lake Palestine early Thursday. The Department of Public Safety is investigating the crash.

    February 9, 2012

  • City hears presentation for new apartment complex

    The Athens City Council heard a presentation, Wednesday, from a group that hopes to obtain a grant to build an apartment complex in south Athens.
    Jay Oji, of Sphinx Development Corporation, said the 80-unit complex called Robbins Villas would be built on a tract of land where Robbins Road intersects with Loop 7. The affordable housing units would cost about $12 million to construct.

    February 8, 2012

  • 2-8 Coach Johnston.jpg Coaches tell Kiwanis about programs

    Two of Trinity Valley Community College’s newest coaches spoke to the Athens Kiwanis Tuesday at the Country Club.
    Trinity Valley Community College Head Softball Coach Ashley Johnston, and Volleyball Coach Tosha Spain, also head up two of the newest programs on campus.

    February 8, 2012 2 Photos

  • Adams addresses Chamber

    The Athens Chamber of Commerce brought in Hue Adams Wednesday at its monthly luncheon to remind local business leaders of the finer points of being a leader.

    February 8, 2012

  • Sory.JPG Athens Hornet now flying Hornets

    A former Athens High School student Bryan Sory is now flying FA-18C Hornets, the U.S. Navy’s frontline fighter plane.  Lt. Commander Sory flies for VFA-151, The Vigilantes, based in Lemoore, Calif.  VFA-151 deployed aboard the U.S.S. Lincoln in December, 2011, and is currently flying missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the overarching operation that encompasses, among other things, ongoing counter-terrorism and nation-building efforts in Afghanistan. 

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo