KARK I Caitlin Rearden
HOT SPRINGS, Ark.- A Hot Springs woman was sentenced to life in prison at just 17 for murder. After spending more than 30 years behind bars, she was released just four months ago.
Laura Berry’s bedroom looks like a time capsule. It has memorabilia and belongings from 1985, the last year she had her freedom.
“I got a life without parole sentence,” says Berry.
Seventeen year old Laura’s story sounds familiar. Young girl, abusive relationship, bad decision.
“He told me to come pick him up and when I went to get him, he was covered in blood,” says Berry, recalling the night her great aunt was murdered.
According to Berry, her then boyfriend had planned to rob her aunt, but when she picked him up she says he handed her a weapon and told her to get rid of it. She says she did, but had no idea at the time her aunt was dead.
“You don’t think at a time like that.”
She was charged with capital murder and sentenced to life without parole. Berry later plead guilty to the lesser charge of first degree murder and her sentence was converted to life.
“At first I felt hopeless,” says Berry, “but then I got in there and I felt like, I’m not willing to settle for this to be my life.”
She got her GED and educated herself, even working inside prison until finally she got a break.
“They passed a law which made anybody who was a juvenile that was sentenced to life in prison eligible for parole after 25,” says Berry.
In December of 2017, after 32 years, she got her freedom.
Knowing she can never take back what happened all those years ago, Berry’s focus is now looking forward.
“The me today would have never been in a relationship with him.”
She started a Facebook group called the 539ers offering insight and resources for felons re-entering society. Her priority however, is to stop young people from getting into the system, by sharing her story.
“Who better to do that than somebody that did it themselves,” says Berry.
Berry says without the Fair Sentencing of Minors Act of 2017 she would have still been in prison. She believes everyone deserves a second chance.
Earlier this month the Arkansas Supreme Court heard oral arguments challenging the act. The court still has not made a ruling in that case.