A New Beginning

All Vicki Berk wanted in this world was to live a happy, abuse free life and to be a great mom to her three young sons. She was on her way to achieving these goals in 1985. After suffering many years of horrific verbal and physical abuse at the hands of her husband she finally decided enough was enough. In late 1984 Vicki moved out on her own and divorced Otto Berk III. Otto Berk III, a sadistic, vicious, control freak, also had a goal. His goal was to destroy Vicki's new life. Within four months after their divorce Otto Berk III had seven criminal charges against him for harassing Vicki and the police had been summoned to Vicki's house 16 times to protect her. Vicki knew her ex husband would not stop until her life was destroyed. She had even written a letter in which she prophesized her own death. That letter would be found in the purse the police gave Vicki's sister after her murder. The same purse that was riddled with holes because Vicki had used it to protect herself from Otto Berk III on a cold January morning in 1985.

"Every wound was meant to kill"

Vicki Berk was leaving for work at approximately 6:40 AM on January 4, 1985. Her three young sons, ages 11, 6, and 5 were asleep. Wendy, Vicki's roommate, watched her leave as she did every morning because they worried Vicki's husband Otto III would get her on her way to the garage. That morning they would be correct. As Wendy watched Vicki go into the garage she saw a shadow coming around the north side of the garage. Wendy ran to the garage and as she approached she could hear Vicki screaming for Otto III to leave her alone. When Wendy went into the garage she saw Otto III restraining Vicki and stabbing her in the chest. Wendy tried to pull Otto III off Vicki however he would not be deterred. Wendy ran to the call the police. By the time the police arrived Otto Berk III was gone and Vicki lay on the garage floor. She had suffered 14 stab wounds.Years later a Columbus Police Lieutenant would describe it by stating "every wound was meant to kill." It would later be learned that Vicki's three young sons heard their mother screaming that morning. These young boys had to listen to their mother die at the hands of their father.

No Remorse

The same day Vicki was killed the police arrested Otto Berk III. Throughout his interrogation he expressed absolutely no remorse. He showed no emotion as he described Vicki's murder. Otto Berk III actually had the audacity to whine and complain HE was a victim of the legal system. At trial he claimed he stabbed Vicki in self defense. A jury saw straight through him and convicted Otto Berk III of aggravated murder. He was sentenced to life in prison. Otto Berk's lack of remorse has continued over the last 23 years. He has never expressed remorse and his most telling quote came in 1995 Columbus Dispatch interview. When questioned about the murder he stated, " Well, God loves us and kills us too."

No Parole

Otto Berk is the true definition of a predator. He abused his wife for years and also abused his children. He preys on the weak and defenseless. That abuse would culminate on January 4th, 1985 with Vicki Berk's murder. Vicki's sons would live the remainder of their lives hearing their mother's screams as she died in a garage on a cold January morning. Otto Berk III, although sentenced to life in prison, is now eligible for parole. If there was ever an inmate who deserves to spend the rest of his life in prison it is Otto Berk III. He has done almost nothing to better himself in prison, has never accepted responsibility for his crime, and denies his culpability to this very day. Otto Berk III deserves to die in prison not only as punishment for Vicki Berk's murder but also to protect another innocent woman from becoming a victim of this vicious criminal.