A jury convicted a Hammond man of voluntary manslaughter and other charges Friday in an East Chicago gas station slaying.
Maurice Berry, 22, was also found guilty of attempted murder, aggravated battery, possession of a machine gun and a firearms enhancement. He was acquitted of misdemeanor theft for taking a drink out of the gas station. They deliberated for about two hours. His sentencing is June 30 before Judge Natalie Bokota.
Berry was originally charged with murder. The jury was given two lower options to convict – voluntary manslaughter – which they chose – and reckless homicide.
Berry took the stand Friday and said he he turned to shoot Maurice Garrett at an East Chicago gas station in March 2024, fearing the other man was reaching for a gun and would kill him. Instead, he killed an innocent man and wounded Garrett in the arm and chest.
He was charged with killing bystander Javier “Campa” Olvera, 49, who was buying sodas, and wounding Garrett, who had dated Berry’s longtime on-and-off girlfriend Shaianne Cole.
Cole said on the stand Friday there were periods when she was involved with both men, something she kept secret from Garrett, her child’s father.
Berry dropped off his pregnant girlfriend Dashanay Williams at an East Chicago Strack and Van Til on March 30, 2024, and went a few blocks north to a BP gas station, 4502 Indianapolis Blvd., to get a drink inside, where he encountered Garrett, who lived close by at the time.
Prosecutors dismissed Berry’s testimony, saying it was too coincidental, arguing he was looking for a confrontation.
The surveillance video showed Berry arrived before Garrett. He walked around inside the gas station briefly. As he starting walking past the door, Garrett walked inside. Within a few seconds, Berry turned and opened fire as Garrett jumped around the corner inside the store to avoid gunfire. Police said 12 casings were recovered. Olvera was shot multiple times.
Williams did not show to testify for the defense Friday.
On Thursday, she and Aryn Stevens, who both had a child with Berry, were arrested in the hallway after they got into a fight in a nearby bathroom.
Deputy Prosecutors Tim Brown and Lindsey Lanham were assigned. Defense lawyer Susan Severtson represented Berry. The lead investigator was Lake County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force Det. James Nielsen.
mcolias@post-trib.com
