PRESS RELEASE
May 20, 2004

Contact: William J. Smith, Jr. (718) 556-7150

District Attorney Donovan Announces Guilty Plea in Assault on Court Officer

STATEN ISLAND, NY - Richmond County District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. today announced that Deroy Woods, 22, of Richmond Terrace, has plead guilty to the top count of Assault in the Second Degree (PL 120.05-3), a Class D felony. He will receive a three year determinate sentence for his admission of guilt of an assault on a court officer in Staten Island Family Court. Woods also plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge of criminal possession of marijuana.

“After taking office, I announced my policy that I would not plea bargain assault cases against teachers, police officers, court officers, emergency service technicians, and other city and state employees,” stated District Attorney Donovan. “Keeping true to that policy, my office would accept nothing less than a top count plea in this case involving an assault on our court personnel who are victimized performing their duties.”

At a March 24, 2004 appearance at Family Court, the Judge McElrath ordered Woods’ children removed from his household. The defendant ran out of the courtroom while his 16 year-old stepson grabbed his 9 month-old stepbrother and attempted to flea the court. In the resulting melee, the defendant assaulted the deputy clerk of the court by attempting to throw him over the stair railing. Eventually, the 16 year-old was arrested, and 9 month-old rescued, in front of Curtis High School. The defendant was arrested on Hamilton Avenue. While in the process of being returned to Family Court, the defendant assaulted a court officer, resulting in an injury to the officer’s shoulder.

Deroy Woods, will be sentenced on June 24, 2004 before Judge Meyer. Assistant District Attorney Lisa Redmond prosecuted the case. Woods was represented by Maria Guastella.