Murder suspect who escaped from Bibb County’s jail has been convicted of killing

Joey Travis Fournier, 52, one of four men who escaped the Bibb County prison last year, was found guilty of murder last week and sentenced to life in prison for the death of Cynthia Berry, the local district attorney’s office announced Thursday.

Berry was strangled to death at her home in Barrington Hall in February 2022. Fournier was convicted of malice murder, felony murder, and aggravated assault after a four-day trial.

The Macon District Attorney’s office brought evidence before the jury which showed Fournier had gone to Berry’s home in violation of a protective order that had been issued against him from a previous domestic violence incident, according to the district attorney’s office.

At some point during the evening, Fournier removed the cord from a hooded jacket and strangled Berry from behind, according to prosecutors.

Court documents said after his arrest Fournier admitted to law enforcement he had killed Berry. But at trial, his defense team claimed he had acted out of a sudden, violent, irresistible passion because of things Berry had said about his daughter.

The jury rejected his claim and found Fournier acted with malicious intent in committing the murder.

District Attorney Anita Howard said domestic violence can result in a plethora of insidious crimes, which often have violent and tragic consequences.

“My heart goes out to the family of Ms. Berry, who now that they have a measure of justice for this event, must somehow find a way forward with their lives in the midst of their tragic loss,” she said. “Again, I echo my past plea for those who see the signs of domestic violence in relationships of their loved one—please, please say something before it’s too late.”

Fournier was one of four men who escaped from the Bibb County Jail on Oct. 16 but was later caught. The escape led to an officer being fired and over $1 million being spent in training and improvements at the detention center.