Press Release:

Brattleboro, Vermont, November 26, 2003:

Justice For Woody, a grassroots citizen's group, today released
evidence indicating that presidential hopeful Howard Dean and his
longtime political ally Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell
conspired to obstruct justice in the investigation of the December 2,
2001 police shooting of Robert "Woody" Woodward.

According to Paul Borneo, the group's spokesperson and co-investigator,
"Governor Dean and Attorney General Sorrell possessed compelling
eyewitness evidence that Woodward was fired upon as he lay on the floor
of the church, and that he was denied necessary and available medical
care. These officials not only declined to pursue the evidence of
police wrongdoing, but conspired to obstruct the lawful application of
justice."

The charges, along with their supporting evidence, are detailed on the
group's website, http://www.justiceforwoody.org

On December 2nd, 2001, Robert "Woody" Woodward entered the All Souls
Unitarian Church in West Brattleboro, Vermont, frightened and weeping,
appealing to those present for sanctuary. While receiving assistance
from congregants, Woodward was approached and then shot seven times -
all within one minute - by two Brattleboro police officers. Although
Woodward had threatened to harm himself with a pocket knife in a bid to
gain protection, the 18 eyewitnesses to the shooting maintain that they
did not see Woodward threaten anyone other than himself. A widely
criticized report by Sorrell cleared the officers of any wrongdoing.

Vermont Governor Howard Dean, facing an outcry from citizens, the ACLU,
and  Vermont legislators, refused calls for an independent
investigation, saying that he was "comfortable" with Sorrell's report.

Dean maintained this position despite admitting to having read the
evidence of down shooting and denial of first aid. Dean appointed
Sorrell to the post of Attorney General, and they are longtime friends
and political allies.

The citizen's group Justice for Woody was formed by friends and family
of Woodward within days the shooting in response to actions by Vermont
officials indicating a biased investigation. The goals of the group
have always been to learn of the circumstances of the shooting,
advocate for a full and fair investigation, insist on accountability
for those involved, and call for reforms in the Vermont criminal
justice system aimed at preventing future killings.