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Wood trial to begin next week
Published Saturday, April 12, 2008
VIDALIA — The trial of Connor Wood — the Ferriday teen accused of killing his parents and a neighbor — will begin next week.
Wood, 16, is accused of three counts of second-degree murder, all of which he allegedly committed on the night of March 14, 2007, when he was 15-years-old.
The dead that night included Wood’s parents, John and Geraldine Wood, and neighbor Matthew Whittington, 16.
Jury selection will begin Monday morning, and it is expected to take most of the day, District Attorney’s Office Investigator Johnny Loomis said.
“I expect testimony should begin Tuesday, and the trial will go from there,” Loomis said.
Some of the evidence against Wood has been used in open court prior to the trial because his lawyer, Paul Lemke, filed a motion to have confessions Wood made in the wake of the crimes suppressed as evidence on the grounds Wood did not know what he was doing at the time.
The confessions had significant differences in details, but along with a 911 dispatcher’s call, they were allowed to stay in evidence.
In one statement, Wood admitted only to killing Whittington, and in the other he claimed he also killed his parents.
In the confessions, Wood also alleged Whittington had conspired with him to kill the Wood couple, and that after the murders Wood became enraged over what he had done and killed Whittington.
Wood was initially indicted on charges of three counts of first-degree murder, but those charges were recently amended to second-degree murder.
Soon after he pleaded “not guilty” to the initial indictment, Wood changed his pleading to “not guilty by reason of insanity.”
A sanity panel later found him fit to stand trial.
In mid-March, Whittington’s parents, Dennis and Judy Whittington, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the estate of John and Geraldine Wood.
The suit is still pending court action.
Comments
Posted by steve_o (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 12:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"The confessions had significant differences in details, but along with a 911 dispatcher’s call, they were allowed to stay in evidence.
In one statement, Wood admitted only to killing Whittington, and in the other he claimed he also killed his parents."
Statements allowed to stay as evidence? Then what else is needed? Guilty! next case please.
Posted by Roy (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 12:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't say he did not do this but what was the circumstance to cause this young boy to commit such a heinous crime.
Posted by steve_o (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 12:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Roy, that we are fixing to learn. Unless he cops a plea before the trial!
Posted by FamilyofGod (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 2:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Everyone in the house is shot dead except him. He has confessed at least twice on video. So Press the play button on the DVD.
Next Case.
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 3:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The one i feel for is his brother....He did nothing now having to pay the price.....there he has lost him parents,brother and then the law suit.. May God be with him...
Now as far as Connor well im with y'all Next Case.....
Posted by ejack06_05 (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How are we going to believe what he says? He has lied so many times already...I just wish we could know the truth. Just like what roy said " what was the circumstance"...
Posted by overthehill60 (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's hope they have chosen a jury that can look past Wood's age and focus only that he is the cold blooded killer of his parents and friend.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 1:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
murder is murder
Posted by sparky018 (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with yall! Murder is Murder! BUT, This is The Miss-Lou! What do you actually think is going to happen? Come On!!!!
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So true sparky018.....
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just hope to GOD he gets more than a slap for this...this is sooo wrong.
Posted by peachpit (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is all to sad. I know some of the family. They must be torn up inside. They are good people. May God be with them.
Posted by truthseeker (anonymous) on April 13, 2008 at 11:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In about all you HATE MONGLES will go on to hurt or say hurtful thing about someone else's loved ones. The trial will be over.and every one will go on to something else.But how will it be a fair trial? With evidence miss handled ,evidence not being sent to the crime lab.Unlawfull confessions being allowed in to evidence.oh well why just throw a 15yr ole away ? What ever happed to justice tempered with with mercy.. I know that Conner was involved in this TERRIBLE EVENT. But if it is truely a fair trial than the real truth will come out,and a lot of people are really going to be hurt and shocked!!!!! because I truely believe with all my heart that Conner did not kill his paernts ALONE. I will continue to pray for all involved.I had planed to come my self But all of this stress has put pressure on my heart. And I live out of town and can't afford a motel and everyrhingelse .But i will be pray all day.
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