Second juvenile arrested as Berry murder probe continues

By KURT NESBITT

Journal Staff Writer

REDWOOD FALLS -- Although five suspects are already in custody and one more was arrested earlier this week, the investigation into the death of Robert Frederick Berry continues, say Redwood County officials.

Four suspects have appeared in Redwood County District Court on new sets of charges stemming from the investigation into Berry's death.

The investigation began after Berry, 50, of Morton, was found on Sept. 25 in a section of the Minnesota River called "The Rocks," which is located off a dirt road on the Redwood County side of the river.

Redwood County officials are prosecuting the suspects in court. Redwood County took over the case after investigators decided that the fatal stabbing likely happened in Redwood County, instead of a home in Morton, which is in neighboring Renville County.

"The reason for (the changes) is that the deceased victim was found in Redwood County and at least some of the evidence seems to point toward the actual murder happening in Redwood County," said Renville County Attorney David Torgelson.

Torgelson said the initial charges against Alicia Ann Connor, 18, of Rosemount; Keith Hapana Crow, 22 and Morris Jerome Pendleton, Jr., 25; both of the Lower Sioux Indian Community, were dismissed because Redwood County has taken over the investigation and prosecution of the case. Redwood County has charged Vernon Gene Jones, Jr., 20, of Redwood Falls, along with Connor, Crow and Pendleton.

A press release issued Wednesday by the Redwood County Sheriff's Department said deputies arrested a 16-year old male Tuesday at his attorney's office in Bloomington, Minn., after Redwood County officials arranged for the boy's surrender.

Additional criminal charges are expected soon against another person who was reportedly involved with Berry's death. Investigators are preparing reports and witness statements for review by Redwood County Attorney Michelle Dietrich. More charges could come later as the investigation continues, the release said.

All four suspects are charged with aiding and abetting murder in the second degree, aiding and abetting kidnapping, aiding an offender-murder in the second degree and aiding and abetting arson in the second degree in Redwood County District Court. All four are in custody, although Crow is still awaiting extradition from Montana. Connor and Pendleton are being held in Redwood County in lieu of $1 million bail each.

Criminal complaints allege that each suspect played a role in Berry's death. All three were reportedly at the house party in Morton, where Berry and a juvenile male purportedly got into a fight sometime between the late evening of Sept. 23 and the early morning of Sept. 24. They are also accused of removing Berry -- who was still alive but unconscious -- from the house, taking him to the river and disposing of his body. Crow and the juvenile are accused of hitting and kicking Berry during the fight.

Connor and Crow allegedly were arrested, detained, questioned and released by police, who found Berry's SUV burning near the river later on Sept. 24 but had no suspicion of murder at the time.