Federal Authorities to Seek the Death Penalty Against William Wood

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and John Devito, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, announced today that United States Attorney General William Barr has authorized and directed the United States Attorney’s Office in Syracuse to pursue the death penalty against William D. Wood, Jr.

Wood, 33, of Syracuse, New York, was indicted by a federal grand jury February 14, 2019 for crimes resulting from the September 15, 2018 armed robbery of Chili’s Bar and Grill in Dewitt, and the murders of two employees committed during the course of that robbery.  While charges contained in that indictment carry a maximum sentence of death, the death penalty may only be pursued if authorized by the Attorney General.  Following Attorney General Barr’s authorization today, a Notice of Intent to Pursue the Death Penalty was filed by the United States Attorney’s Office.   

The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case against Wood is being investigated by United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Town of Dewitt Police Department, the New York State Police, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Fletcher.