Man’s family petitions for homicide investigation

By Carolyn Peirce
Examiner Staff Writer 12/3/08

Eddie Woods was a lively, outgoing musician with a rising career and close friends, so when Anne Arundel police said the 22-year-old had taken his own life, his family refused to believe it.

“He had everything to live for,” said Kristine Lockwood, of Columbia, who gathered more than 300 signatures petitioning police to re-investigate the Nov. 23 death of her godson, Clarence “Eddie” Woods III, of Glen Burnie.

“It’s possible that this was an accidental homicide, and it’s possible that it was intentional,” she said.

“By not investigating the death, police are perpetuating urban violence. If it’s this easy to get away with killing someone, then why not?”

Lockwood said police ruled the death a suicide after briefly questioning the only witness, Alyssa Jackson, 16, of Pasadena, who didn’t call 911 immediately and was allowed to leave the scene after giving an oral statement.

Police never tested the girl’s hands for gunshot residue, which could have indicated whether she fired the weapon, Lockwood said.

Any evidence of gunshot residue on Woods’ hand would likely have been destroyed while he was receiving medical attention, she added.

Alyssa said Tuesday that Woods was angry with her because another man called her cell phone while the two were at a party in Brooklyn Park. She said they continued the argument at a friend’s house on Doris Avenue in Brooklyn Park where Woods had been staying.

During the fight, Woods “flipped out,” took a gun off the dresser, sat on a stool and shot himself in the back of the head, she said.

“He was still alive, looking up and breathing heavy,” Alyssa said.

But instead of calling 911, she called a friend to come over because she didn’t know the address.

“She delayed calling 911, and I can’t help but wonder if that was to come up with a story and get somebody out of the house,” Lockwood said. The friend, Brendan Castaneda, 18, said he rushed to the house, dialed 911 and waited by Woods’ side with Alyssa.

Woods was taken to University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, where his family took him off life support several hours later. Police spokesman Sgt. John Gilmer said Tuesday the case remains open as “a death investigation” with no indication of foul play.

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