NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A Newport News police sergeant was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in the 2019 shooting death of a man who had a misdemeanor charge of abusing the 911 system.
Albin Pearson had been charged with second-degree murder and multiple firearms and assault charges. Following a trial, a jury found him guilty of a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter -- a felony -- and a misdemeanor charge of illegal entry. He was acquitted on all other charges.
A spokesperson with the Newport News Police Department confirmed on September 1 that Pearson was no longer an employee.
In December of 2019, Newport News police responded to the home of Henry Kistler Berry III, to arrest him for allegedly abusing the city's 911 system. Police had said that during a struggle, Berry used a stun gun on two or three officers before he was shot by Pearson.
Pearson, along with Officer Dwight Pitterson, were later charged in Berry's killing. Court records show Pitterson was acquitted of all charges, including malicious wounding, following a trial in September 2021.
Pearson currently has a sentencing date scheduled for December 9, 2022.
