Son of Dragging Victim James Byrd Jr. to Meet With One of His Father's Killers

Son of Dragging Victim James Byrd Jr. to Meet
With One of His Father's Killers

Young man stresses desire for closure

On March 21, 2003, Ross Byrd, son of Jasper dragging victim James Byrd Jr., will meet with one of the men who participated in the murder of his father. Inmate Shawn Berry, currently serving a life sentence at the Ramsey 1 Unit at the prison in Rosharon, Texas, had contacted Byrd regarding the crime and requested a meeting. Berry has maintained that he did not directly participate in the killing. Byrd agreed to the meeting expressing the need for closure and reconciliation. The other two participants in the gruesome hate crime received death sentences.

A press conference will take place before the meeting at the Shape Center in Houston. Byrd and others will also be available for comment outside the facility after the meeting.

• What: Press Conferences regarding Ross Byrd meeting with Shawn Berry

• When: March 21 at 10:00 a.m. and also after meeting

• Where: The Shape Center, 3815 Live Oak, Houston, TX (call (713) 521-0641 for directions) and then outside of Ramsey Unit 1; at the prison in Rosharon, TX (call (281) 595-3491 for directions).

Others who will accompany the young man include Martin Luther King III and Reverend Randell T. Osburn of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and Ricky Jason, a friend and publicist for Ross Byrd, who is also a recording artist. A prayer vigil led by civil rights activist Dick Gregory will be held outside of the facility while the meeting takes place. # # # Return to Press Releases