The main suspect in the double homicide at a Chili’s restaurant in DeWitt, William Wood Jr., will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Wood Jr. pleaded guilty to ten charges, including first and second degree murder, during a court appearance on Friday. He faces life in prison without parole after he admitted to shooting and killing two former co-workers, Kristopher Hicks and Stephen Gudknecht, during a robbery at the Erie Blvd. restaurant in September 2018.
“It was Mr. Wood's intention from the inception of the case to enter a guilty,” said his defense attorney, Ben Coffin.
Police said one of the victims died at the scene and the other was taken to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Prosecutors say Wood also intended to kill two others at the scene, but survived because Wood’s gun jammed. Wood was a former Chili's employee and tried to disguise his appearance but was recognized by the victims.
Wood was stoic when entering his plea, while the victims’ family members sobbed.
"It never leaves you,” said Onondaga County district attorney William Fitzpatrick. “You hear the word closure, and that's just the stupidest word ever used in a homicide case. There will never ever be closure for these people. It's so heartbreaking."
Last month, Wood tried to plead guilty to charges in the case, but was denied so that federal prosecutors had time to consider their options regarding the death penalty, which is not allowed in New York State, but federal cases can supersede that.
"I've been in touch with the US attorney since the day after this happened,” said Fitzpatrick. “He and I are of the opinion that this is a death penalty case. The problem, from his point of view, is that it's not his decision."
Fitzpatrick said he expects the Department of Justice committee to determine if the case is worthy of the death penalty before April 15, when Wood is scheduled to be sentenced in county court.
Four other people were charged in connection to the case. Ronald Green pleaded not guilty back in November to several counts, including second-degree murder. Police say he was Wood's getaway driver. They also say he had a child in the car with him at the time.
Ryan Brown pleaded not guilty to hindering prosecution. He was allegedly in the car when it traveled from DeWitt to Fulton, where Wood was later arrested.
Jerome Pinkard pleaded not guilty to a charge of criminal sale of a fire arm. He's accused of selling the gun to Tracy Brown.
Tracy Brown, who is Ryan Brown's mother, is accused of providing that gun that Wood allegedly used.