11/30/06

Round Two
Prosecutor will seek death penalty in Woods trial
By Brian Jarvis

Manning Times Photo
Anthony Woods, here with his attorney, prepares to stand trial again for the murder of Manning teacher JoAnn Dubose. Woods was tried in September for the crime, but a hung jury forced a mistrial in the case.

The latest courtroom drama for Anthony Woods got off to a slow start Monday as jury selection packed every seat in the Clarendon County courthouse and is expected to consume the rest of the week.

“We anticipate jury selection to take five to seven days, with the trial to start immediately after,” said solicitor Kelly Jackson. “It could go quicker, could go slower.”

Woods, who was tried two months ago for the same crime in the same courthouse, has pleaded not guilty to the murder and sexual assault of JoAnn Dubose, a 53-year old schoolteacher at Manning Elementary School who was found dead in her bedroom in June of 2003.

After the case ended in a hung jury, however, the judge had no choice but to declare a mistrial. Woods is already serving two life sentences for previous crimes that also involved attacks on elderly women.

This time, Woods will face a hometown jury from Clarendon instead of bussed-in jurors from Marion County.

“What we’re doing is attempting to draw a jury from Clarendon County that can be fair and impartial,” Jackson said.

Jackson, who is representing the state of South Carolina with assistance from attorney Dudley Saleeby, Jr., stated that he is seeking the death penalty.

“It’s a capital case,” he said.

Representing Woods are attorneys Frederick Hoefer and James Hoffmeyer, who have defended him in the past.

Flanked by correctional officers from Clarendon County Detention Center, Woods’ only moral support was a cousin who wished not to be identified. On the opposing side sat Sonny Dubose, brother of Joanne.

“If anyone tries to talk to you about it, do not discuss the case,” instructed Judge John Few, noting the trial’s media attention as he urged potential jurists not to read newspapers or watch television news. “I need you to help me out with this. I think you can understand that when someone is on trial, the information must come forward in a controlled manner. We’re trying to get there as quickly as we can.”