Michael Berryhill

Name of Accused:
Berryhill, Michael Wayne

Date of Arrest:
09/18/2024


Charges For Arrest:
Willful Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officers-Misdemeanor
Battery
Criminal Damage to Property 2nd (Private Property)
Aggravated Assault
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On Wednesday, September 18, 2024
, at approximately 1713 hours, I was dispatched to [50 BLOCK] Walnut Trail, Cartersville, GA 30121, in reference to an assault that had just occurred.
Upon arrival, I made with the victim, Mr. [VICTIM ], who stated he was assaulted by a friend of his/suspect, Mr. Michael Berryhill. Mr. [VICTIM ] stated he was building a dog pen in the backyard today when Mr. Berryhill arrived at his residence randomly. Mr. [VICTIM ] stated Mr. Berryhill came around the residence and began yelling at him over a vehicle he borrowed approximately 8 months ago. Mr. [VICTIM ] stated Mr. Berryhill was yelling at him and telling him that he owed him several hundred dollars over damage to the wheels and tires to this vehicle. Mr. [VICTIM ] stated a verbal argument ensued because he disagreed with Mr. Berryhill over owing him any money.
Mr. [VICTIM ] stated that is when Mr. Berryhill punched him with a closed fist on the left side of his face, causing him to fall to the ground. Mr. [VICTIM ] stated he gained his ground to see Mr. [VICTIM ] pick up the framing hammer that he was using to build the dog pin. Mr. [VICTIM ] stated Mr. Berryhill then raised the hammer and gave chase to him, placing him in fear that Mr. Berryhill might kill him. Mr. [VICTIM ] stated he then ran into the woods to get away from Mr. Berryhill where Mr. Berryhill then turned toward the driveway. Mr. [VICTIM ] stated Mr. Berryhill went on to shatter the left, rear window on his gray Ford Taurus (Georgia Tag [REDACTED]) and the right, rear window on his white Mercedes C300 (Georgia Tag [REDACTED]). Mr. [VICTIM ] stated Mr. Berryhill then got into a vehicle and drove back down the hill presumably back to his residence.
I then spoke with complainant/witness, Ms. [WITNESS ], who stated she heard the yelling from the backyard so she came over to check on Mr. [VICTIM ]. Ms. [WITNESS ] stated she walked around the residence to see Mr. Berryhill punch Mr. [VICTIM ] and then begin chasing him with the hammer. Ms. [WITNESS ] stated she ran back over to her residence where she heard the two loud banging noises, which were later discovered to be the vehicle windows. Ms. [WITNESS ] stated Mr. Berryhill then got into a red vehicle and drove away. Ms. [WITNESS ] stated she called 911 and waited with Mr. [VICTIM ] until I arrived.
While I was on scene gathering information, Deputy Michael Roth was able to locate the residence of Mr. Berryhill based on the description provided by Mr. [VICTIM ] who had been there several times. Deputy Roth located Mr. Berryhill inside the residence where he became uncooperative. Deputy Roth asked Mr. Berryhill for his identification or name and he advised his name was “God” and refused to provide an ID. Deputy Roth attempted to read Mr. Berryhill his Miranda Warning but he refused to cooperate and stated he did not understand his rights. Based on Mr. Berryhill’s behavior, Deputy Roth transported Mr. Berryhill to the Bartow County Jail where he continued to refuse to provide me with a statement. Mr. Berryhill became uncooperative with jail staff and was placed in an isolation cell until he calmed down. I was unable to obtain Mr. Berryhill’s statement on this incident.
While on scene with Mr. [VICTIM ], I observed substantial redness and a small laceration to his left ear which is consistent with being punched. I also observed the shattered windows and hammer used and it was all photographed on my body-worn camera.
Based on statements from Mr. [VICTIM ] and Ms. [WITNESS ] as well as the physical evidence, warrants were taken on Mr. Berryhill for Aggravated Assault, Criminal Damage to Property in the 2nd Degree, Battery, and Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer(M).
Mr. [VICTIM ] was provided with information on his rights as a victim and I went back in service.
[End of Narrative]