The drug trafficking trial of codefendants Terrence Berry and his uncle, Thomas Berry, both of DeKalb County, concluded Tuesday with one man being convicted and one acquitted.

Terrence Berry, who was charged with numerous drug- and weapons-related charges, was found guilty of trafficking cocaine, felony possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was sentenced to 30 years, with 20 to be served, on the trafficking cocaine charge; 10 years for the felony possession of marijuana charge, to be served concurrently with the previous count; and five years for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, which must, by state law, be served concurrent to the previous sentences.

Thomas Berry, who was also being tried on charges of trafficking cocaine and felony possession of marijuana, was acquitted.

“The case was actually prosecuted by Phillip Henderson — he is a third-year law student who is an intern with our office,” said Spalding County Assistant District Attorney Ben Coker. “The Third-year Practice Act allows third-year law students to come into court and try cases as long as an active member of the Bar Association is present with him. He was anxious to try a case and this was a good one for him to cut his teeth on. He did an excellent job.”

According to Coker, the case was a strong one, thanks to the cooperative efforts of two law enforcement agencies.

“The Griffin Police Department had received information from DeKalb County that these two individuals would be bringing a quantity of drugs into Spalding County,” Coker said. “Once they arrived in the city, a traffic stop was initiated based on a window tint violation and that led to the subsequent finding of the cocaine, marijuana and a bong.”

Although the case was assigned to Coker and was prosecuted under his direct supervision, he was anxious to praise only the actions of others.

“All the credit for this verdict should go to the law enforcement officers from the Griffin Police Department and DeKalb County who built such a strong case against the defendant — it was a good case and it made our jobs easier — and to Phillip Henderson,” he said. “He did a great job prosecuting the case. I was impressed. The bottom line is that a lot of cocaine was taken off the streets — 248 grams — and it would probably still be out there if it wasn’t for the law enforcement officers who did such a great job on this.”