Justice for Woody's September 24 Press Conference

On September 24th Justice for Woody held a press conference at the Quality Inn in Brattleboro for the purpose of presenting the findings of its investigation, and releasing its report and supplimentary documents.

The press conference was attended more than a dozen reporters, friends and family of Woody, witnesses to the shooting, and other community members. Justice for Woody gave the 4 folloing presentations, each corresponding to a different portion of the written report.

• Ursula gave a 20-minute recitation of the Narrative of Events that she had edited from the Detailed Narrative that she had painstakingly compiled from the eyewitness evidence in the months leading up to the conference.
• Next Jim gave a painfully long and detaild slideshow presentation covering highlights of his Analysis of Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell's Woodward Shooting Report , which exposed a number of deceptions in Sorrell's Report. He also and detailing evidence of downshooting used in Final Shots
• Paul followed with the Chronology of Official Actions in the wake of the shooting.
• Mary delivered her Portrait of Woody as the image of Woody, smiling, was projected on the screen.
• A question-and-answer session followed the presentations.

After the presentations, eyewitness Polly Wilon stood up and and lamented that the churchmembers were not able to protect Woody. She stated that the wished they had formed a human chain around him.

Below are some articles that covered the press conference.

Articles

date	story	news outlet	comments
09/24/02	Woodward friends question official account of shooting link cached html	The Boston Globe	Briefly recounts story of shooting, and Justice for Woody Report, focusing on it's contention that the police failed to assess the situation upon arriving at the church, and touching on it's challenge to the veracity of Woody's alleged confession.
09/25/02	Group questions Woodward report link cached html	The Brattleboro Reformer	Begins by summarizing goals of JFW report, how presenters addressed question of bias. Quotes report on implications of bullet under skin observed by Phyllis Woodring. Quotes report on bias of Sorrell's report, Sorrell's fishing expedition in March to get witness statements to use in his report. Quotes Paul Borneo, Polly Wilson, Steven Tomczak, Michael Badamo, Dennis Lee.
09/25/02	Police Criticized In Woodward Killing link cached html	The Hartford Courant	Short article summarizing case and issues raised by JFW report - failure of police to assess situation, failure to use nonlethal restraint, shoots after Woody collapsed on floor, handcuffing, and delay in ambulence transport.
09/25/02	Brattleboro church shooting unjustified, friends say link cached html	The Burlington Free Press	Quotes conclusion of JFW report that Sorrell's report is a "brilliantly crafted deception." Mentions witness evidence Woody wsa shot while down. Includes quote by Sorrell suggesting that if Woody were "resisting at all" after falling, subsequent shots were justified. Quotes Ellen Berrios about loyalty of friendship, Polly Wilson wishing the witnesses had formed a human chain to protect Woody.
09/25/02	Friends criticize shooting probe link cached html	The Rutland Herald	Quotes JFW report conclusion. Points out divide between police and eyewitness accounts. Innacurately states report cited bullet under skin as proof of down-shooting. The three officers had declined to be interviewed by Sorrell. Statements by Sorrell, Martin, about what is shown by autopsy, ballistics reports. Website mention.