An Atlanta man who forced his girlfriend into prostitution and then beat her to death because she shorted him $40 has been given a 30-year prison sentence.
Lawrence Woods, who has a criminal history dating back to 2007, pleaded guilty in Fulton County court Wednesday to killing Elijah McDrew in Feburary 2010.
Police caught Woods, 19, after he left his driver’s license in the car he abandoned near the scene after chasing the 22-year-old woman and beating her to death.
According to Fulton District Attorney Paul Howard, Woods had confronted McDrew about money she had recently earned for him, which he said had come up $40 short.
He began punching and beating the woman on the front porch of the Arthur Street home where she worked. McDrew managed to get away when Woods became distracted.
Woods chased McDrew in his vehicle and then on foot for several blocks before catching up with her to resume his attack.
McDrew was beaten so severely, she was left without brain function, authorities said.
The D.A. also said Woods “orchestrated” anonymous calls to the hospital to check on McDrews’ condition. The callers would also ask whether the woman identified her attacker.
Woods was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and aggravated assault.
He had been in and out of the Fulton County Jail since 2007, records show. Previous charges have included murder, battery, armed robbery, cocaine possession, carrying a concealed weapon and theft by receiving.
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