Cops: Man, 21, Beat Girlfriend Over Hamburgers

OCTOBER 14--An Oregon man has pleaded not guilty to assaulting his girlfriend for failing to bring home In-N-Out burgers for dinner, according to court records.

Christian Berry, a 21-year-old Medford resident, appeared yesterday in Circuit Court in connection with his arrest last month for allegedly attacking the 20-year-old victim, whom he has dated for four years.

According to a probable cause affidavit, the hulking Berry--who is 6’ 2” tall and weighs 300 pounds--punched the woman and struck her with a cane.

During a police interview, Berry reportedly admitted to the attack, and said that he had been arguing with his girlfriend “because she didn't bring home In-N-Out burgers for dinner."

On September 9, the day before Berry’s arrest, In-N-Out opened its first store in Oregon. The California-based hamburger chain’s Medford location is about three miles from the residence in which Berry allegedly beat the victim.

The woman, investigators noted, was treated at a local hospital for her injuries, which included “extensive bruising, contusions, and scratches on her body and a lump on her face.”

When asked if he had also kicked the victim--as the woman alleged--Berry said that he did not remember. However, a cop reported, Berry “told me that if she said it happened, then it probably did.” The officer added that Berry confessed to assaulting the woman “about 13 times” during the last year.

Pictured in the above mug shot, Berry has been indicted on an assortment of criminal counts, including a felony assault rap that carries a minimum prison sentence of nearly six years.

Berry, who is free on his own recognizance, has been ordered to have no contact with the victim. He is scheduled for a November 16 preliminary hearing in Circuit Court (3 pages)