The man accused of shooting and killing two DeKalb County police officers in 2008 intends to testify at his own murder trial.
William Maurice Woodard, on trial for the murder of officers Eric Barker and Ricky Bryant, is going to tell jurors his side of the story, Woodard’s attorney Dwight Thomas said Tuesday morning during opening statements.
“He’ll tell you about the pat-down,” Thomas said of the Jan. 16, 2008, encounter his client had with the officers. “That wasn’t a pat-down … that was a beat-down. He’ll tell you why he didn’t submit to that violence.”
Woodard, 34, is facing the death sentence for double counts of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a gun by a convicted felon.
He has pleaded not guilty, claiming he acted that night in self-defense.
Thomas described his client as a man who, although flawed — Woodard had several non-violent drug convictions — carried his Bible with him everywhere he went.
“He didn’t wait to file a lawsuit against them or go and tell internal affairs,” Thomas told jurors. “He didn’t think he would survive.”
Prosecutors outlined the events of that evening, telling the jury that Woodard went to the apartments where he came into contact with Bryant and Barker working off-duty as security guards.
Barker smelled marijuana on Woodard as they passed one another, and the officers followed Woodard back to a car he’d arrived at with a pair of friends.
As the officers frisked Woodard, he resisted, and what began as a tussle ended with Woodard shooting both officers as he fled. He returned to finish them off, prosecutors said.
Thomas argued that Woodard acted out of fear for his life.
“The officers offered him no choice,” Thomas said.
When Woodard takes the stand, Thomas promised the jury that they would hear from a man who has anguished over the incident ever since.
“He’ll tell you about remorse,” Thomas said. “He’ll tell you how he called his mother and cried to her as he told her what happened.”
The trial continues.
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