Defendant On The Run Convicted of Murder

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Atlanta, GA -- A defendant who remains on the run after fleeing the courtroom on the second day of his murder trial has been convicted in the 2013 shooting death of Zachary Rose.

Shane Demetrice Woods was found guilty on Monday on two counts each of felony murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in connection to the 2013 shooting death of 22-year-old Rose, who lived in Canton.

The events started on Jan. 28, 2013, when Tyrell Adams arranged a drug deal between Rose and Jerad Owens to sell about $3,750 worth of crystalline methamphetamine -- commonly referred to as “Molly” -- at Adams’ home on Whitestone Ridge in Alpharetta, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office said.

Prosecutors say Owens arrived with Woods, and both men forced their way into the home with their guns drawn.

Rose and Owens struggled over the gun, and Woods pointed a gun at Adams, who proceeded to lie on the floor. He then shot Rose once in the abdomen and fled the scene of the crime.

Rose was transported to North Fulton Hospital, but died from his injuries. The defendants both were identified through jail records and a phone line-up, and Woods was eventually arrested by the U.S. Marshal Service’s Southeastern Fugitive Task Force.

Owens was apprehended by Sandy Springs police.

The District Attorney’s Office also notes Owens told a witness that he and Woods “had just robbed Adams.”

In a dramatic turn of events, on the second day of the trial -- Wednesday, Feb. 10 -- evidence was uncovered that Woods allegedly tampered with one of the prosecutor’s witnesses. That forced the state to ask Woods’ bond be revoked and while Judge Newkirk was considering the request, Woods fled the courtroom.

The following day, Owens pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and received a 20-year sentence.

A bench warrant for Wood’s arrest has been issued, as he has not returned for the remaining three days of the trial.

“I am hoping that Woods will read this information and turn himself in,” District Attorney Paul Howard said. “I hope he will not put any law enforcement officer in danger by pursuing efforts to evade arrest. I hope he will turn himself in.”

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Image: Shane Demetrice Woods. Credit: Alpharetta Department of Public Safety