William Woodard Trial: Opening Statement to begin for man accused of killing DeKalb Co. police officers

The trial of a man accused of killing two DeKalb County police officers is scheduled to get underway on Monday.
     
William Woodard could face the death penalty for the murder of DeKalb County police officers Ricky Bryant, Jr. and Eric Barker. Both were working an off-duty security job at an apartment complex in January 2008 when they were shot to death.

"All I came to do was be honest about the whole situation and whatever comes out of it, that's what comes out of I," said witness Mario Westbrook during a hearing in May 2012.

At a pre-trial hearing earlier this year, a witness described his friend William Woodard fighting with the officers after they stopped him for smelling of marijuana. Westbrook says at that time, Woodard fired at the two cops.
 
"I looked over and seen Woodard on the ground.  He's shooting at the officers, shooting both officers and the officers trying to get away, struggling to like get away but the bullets brought them down," said Westbrook.

Westbrook says his friend then stood over the two officers to "finish them off." Woodard's attoeys say their client acted in self-defense.

"All I want to say is I'm praying for the family and I'm praying for my son, the police officers and my son," said the suspect's mother, Emily Gutierrez, in May 2012.

DeKalb County prosecutors are seeking the dealth penalty for Woodard.
You Might Be Interested In