FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2020
For media inquiries only, contact:
Mike Lewis (334) 353-2199
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Attorney General Steve Marshall
Statement on the Execution of Cop-Killer Nathaniel Woods
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Steve Marshall issued the below statement tonight following the execution of Nathaniel Woods at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama:
“Tonight, justice has been served. Nathaniel Woods, one of two cop-killers in ‘the bloodiest day in Birmingham Police Department history,’ has met his just fate.
“On July 17, 2004, four Birmingham police officers were doing what law enforcement does day in and day out: standing guard to protect us through the enforcement of our laws. The four police officers were attempting to serve a warrant on Nathaniel Woods – a misdemeanor arrest warrant – when Woods led the officers into an ambush. As they were attempting to arrest him, the accomplice of Nathaniel Woods came out of hiding with an SKS rifle and began his onslaught, firing a barrage of armor-piercing bullets at the officers.
“Three officers were murdered that day: Officer Carlos Owen, Officer Harley Chisholm, and Officer Charles Bennett. A fourth officer, Officer Michael Collins, was injured but survived; however, now-Sergeant Collins would tell you, his life was forever changed.
“Tonight, we lift up Officer Collins as well as the families of Officers Owen, Chisholm, and Bennett. And may we also remain grateful – in fact, prayerful – for law enforcement throughout our state.”
For further information regarding Nathaniel Woods’s crime and conviction, see Attorney General Marshall’s letter to Governor Ivey at this link: https://www.alabamaag.gov/Documents/news/Clemency%20Response.pdf.
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