A $5,000 reward has been issued for information about a man who has been on the run since his murder trial in February, officials say.
Shane Demetrice Woods left during a court recess during his trial and never returned.
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Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard said Woods and his accomplice, Jerad Terel Owens, forced their way into an Alpharetta residence with guns drawn in January 2013. Howard said the men were there to sell $3,750 of methamphetamine, but instead shot two men, killing one.
Alpharetta Det. Jakai Braithwaite, who was the lead detective during the investigation, said detectives identified Woods and Owens as suspects within 10 hours of the drug-related shooting that killed Zachary Rose. Owens was quickly arrested, but Woods eluded police for more than a month.
After he was arrested by U.S. Marshals, Woods hired veteran defense lawyer Bruce Harvey, who Braithwaite called "one of the heavy hitters — the Derek Jeter of attorneys in this area."
Woods was then released on $300,000 bond, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Tracy Flanagan said.
Braithwaite said he assumed the judge issued a high bond figuring it wouldn’t be paid.
“We were dealing with dope boys here, so they obviously had access to that cash, so I imagine that’s how they made the bond,” Braithwaite said Wednesday.
Howard said on the second day of the trial that evidence emerged showing Woods tampered with a witness. The prosecutor made a motion to revoke Woods’ bond.
That would have meant he would have to spend the remaining days of the trial in jail, Braithwaite said.
“He was out on bond and was free at that time to come and go as he pleased,” the detective said. “It was his duty to return after the recess.”
Fulton County deputies and U.S. Marshals didn’t start actively pursuing Woods until his Feb. 15 conviction on two counts of felony murder and aggravated assault. He was sentenced to life plus five years.
“We are considering him armed and dangerous,” Braithwaite said. “He’s a convicted murderer and I believe he thinks the sky’s the limit for him – I don’t think he will surrender easily.”
Co-defendant Owens pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 20 years.
The public is advised not to approach Woods. Citizens are urged to report his whereabouts to authorities.
Contact United States Marshal Service Inspector Tom Kinsella or Special Deputy United States Marshal Neal Solomon at the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force at 770-508-2500 or the U.S.M.S. Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102. Tips can also be emailed to usms.wanted@usdoj.gov. All information is confidential.
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