Murdered Woman’s Son ‘Forgives’ Killer and Pleads to Stop His Execution in Alabama

The son of a woman murdered nearly 25 years ago is now asking that her killer be spared from execution.

Will Berry — whose mother, Margaret Berry, was shot and killed in 1997 by then-21-year-old Geoffrey West — says he has forgiven West and is urging Alabama officials to halt his execution, according to the Associated Press, USA Today, and The Independent.

Margaret was killed during a robbery at Harold’s Chevron in Etowah County, where she worked, on March 28, 1997. West was convicted of the murder, and a jury voted 10-2 to recommend a death sentence, per the AP.

West, now 51, is scheduled for execution by nitrogen gas at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility on Thursday, Sept. 25, according to the outlets.

Will, who was 11 years old when his mother was killed, told the AP that he wrote a letter to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey — who scheduled the execution — asking her to intervene. He said he has also exchanged letters with West and has forgiven him for his mother’s death.

“I forgive this guy, and I don’t want him to die,” Berry told AP in a phone interview. “I don’t want the state to take revenge in my name or my family’s name for my mother.”

He echoed this sentiment in an opinion piece for the Montgomery Advertiser, explaining why he did not want “revenge” carried out in his name.

“That won’t bring my mother back; it will only add to the pain I have lived with since the night she was shot,” he wrote. “I believe that in seeking to execute Mr. West, the state of Alabama is playing God. I don’t want anyone to exact revenge in my name, nor in my mother’s.”

He added that life in prison without parole is a just punishment for West and expressed hope for reconciliation. “There is an ending to this story where Mr. West and I find comfort in each other and in the healing power of forgiveness,” he said.

Will told the AP that Gov. Ivey responded to his letter, acknowledging his position but noting that Alabama law “imposes a death sentence for the most egregious form of murder,” and she is obligated to enforce it.

As for West, he has reportedly expressed remorse for his actions in 1997. He told the AP that he does not understand why he committed the crime at 21 and wishes it had never happened.

“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t regret it and wish that I could take that back,” he said. “I wish I had the opportunity just to swap places and let it be me and not her.”

A spokesperson for Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall confirmed to the AP that West “has been on death row for twenty-six years, and his sentence is due.” The office added, “[Margaret] gave West the cash on hand, and he executed her.”