Testimony continued on Wednesday in the trial of a man accused of killing two DeKalb County police officers in 2008. Authorities say the officers were working off-duty security jobs at the Glenwood Garden Apartments when William Woodard shot them during a struggle.
Woodard is accused of killing DeKalb County police officers Ricky Bryant Jr. and Eric Barker with a .40 caliber handgun. DeKalb Prosecutor Don Geary said Woodard scuffled with one of the officers who had approached him. He said Woodard took his gun and shoved it into the officer's stomach, just underneath his vest, and opened fire.
The defense acknowledges Woodard is a convicted felon who should not have had a gun. Woodard's attorney, Dwight Thomas, told the jury the shooting was a case of self-defense.
"That self-defense is based on upon a series of provocations, excessive force and brutality that was used on him January 16, 2008 by two people that he believed to be bullies with badges," said Thomas.
On Wednesday, jury members heard a frantic 911 call that was made just after the shooting, and they also heard a description of the shooting from a former tow truck driver who happened to be in the area when the officers were killed. The witness, a convicted felon who appeared in a jail jumpsuit, was not identified.
DeKalb County prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Woodard, who is expected to testify later in the trial.
The state will continue presenting its case against Woodard on Thursday.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:19 PM EDT2013-06-20 03:19:10 GMT
A police officer, a deputy and a nurse are being called heroes for saving an elderly man's life.
A police officer, a deputy and a nurse are being called heroes for saving an elderly man's life. The man had a medical emergency and the three first-responders were in the right place at the right time.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:27 PM EDT2013-06-20 02:27:20 GMT
Georgia's right to life group is in a dispute with the national pro-lifers.
Georgia's right to life group is in a dispute with the national pro-lifers. The Georgia group has campaigned against a new far-reaching House bill on abortion because it says that the bill doesn't save enough lives.
William Woodard takes the stand on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 during his murder trial.
