Woodard gets life for killing two DeKalb officers

A DeKalb County jury sentenced convicted cop killer William Woodard to life in prison without the possibility of parole, rejecting DeKalb prosecutors bid to put Woodard to death for shooting two police officers.

Woodard, 31, was convicted of murder this week in the deaths of DeKalb police officers Ricky Bryant Jr. and Eric Barker. Woodard shot the two officers Jan. 16, 2008, in the parking lot of an apartment complex where they were working extra jobs.

The jurors had the option of sentencing Woodard to death, life in prison without the possibility of parole or life in prison with the possibility of parole once he’s served 30 years.

While Woodard said he shot the two officers in self defense, prosecutors said the defendant simply did not want to go back to prison, where he was facing life without parole if convicted of a fourth felony. Bryant and Barker were about to find a gun Woodard was not allowed to have, prosecutors said.

About the Author

Rhonda Cook

In Georgia’s melon mecca, watermelon wizards’ ears are sweetly attuned

In the heart of Georgia's watermelon country, everyone has a trick to tell if a melon is ripe. One way is the sound a melon makes when it is thumped. Or better, patted.

Atlanta leaders eye trails as part of solution to city’s traffic woes

The 535-mile expansion plan, known as Trails ATL, aims to make the city more walkable, bringing 10-minute access to trails for 95% of city residents by 2052.

Breakdown: Three days in May

Season 11 of the AJC’s Breakdown true crime podcast starts soon. It begins with a Georgia couple, a newborn—and a discovery that triggers a living nightmare.

The Latest

Credit: AP

A.M. ATL: Up, up and away

DISPATCH

In Georgia’s melon mecca, watermelon wizards’ ears are sweetly attuned

A.M. ATL: Whodunnit?

Featured

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

New Georgia election audit targets voters registered at P.O. boxes and businesses

Georgia election officials are trying to find inaccurate voter registrations of people registered at P.O. boxes or business addresses.

Rent an apartment, or just a bedroom, at this new Atlanta skyscraper

Amid rising costs and changing lifestyles, Society Atlanta offers a co-living model designed to shake up traditional apartments.

DISPATCH

In Georgia’s melon mecca, watermelon wizards’ ears are sweetly attuned

In the heart of Georgia's watermelon country, everyone has a trick to tell if a melon is ripe. One way is the sound a melon makes when it is thumped. Or better, patted.