Despite his preliminary examination in district court having been scheduled for 1:30 on Tuesday, November 8, with the help of his lawyer, Gerry Mason, 27-year-old Shawn Patrick Woodruff requested to waive the hearing, choosing instead to be bound over to the county’s circuit court.
During preliminary examinations, it is on the prosecutor to prove that a crime happened and that the accused was responsible, and it appears County Prosecutor Brenda Sanford was ready to do so on Tuesday, having photos and other related evidence prepared, but she agreed to the defendant and his lawyer’s request.
Following a meeting between the attorneys with District Judge Gregory Ross in his chambers, Judge Ross asked Woodruff several questions to ensure he was waiving the exam on his own understanding and desire, and not because he was coerced with violence or bribes. After confirming that he had not been coerced in any way, Woodruff signed a form to make the transfer to circuit court official.
His attorney, Mason, noted that this was neither a plea or indication of guilt or innocence, saying instead it is “in the interest of justice he’s waiving the exam.”
Woodruff has been bound over to circuit court on the eight charges he received in August, with arraignment scheduled on Wednesday, December 7, at 9:00 a.m., with a possibility of a pre-trial hearing at that time. Woodruff is still being held on a $10 million bond, cash or surety, with other conditions applying to that bond.
Woodruff was charged in August with open murder, reckless driving causing death, failure to stop at the scene of an accident when at fault causing death, witness intimidation, assault with intent to do great bodily harm, and misdemeanors including moving violation causing death, aggravated assault against a witness and failure to report an accident, as well as notice as a habitual offender, fourth offense. The charges stem from the suspected intentional hit-and-run death of Ben Green on August 8 in Croswell.
If convicted, Woodruff could receive life in prison without parole for his maximum sentence.
