Carmen Woods was sentenced to life in prison without parole for a murder he did not commit. He has been incarcerated for the last 40 years. The Philadelphia Judicial System refused to hear Carmen’s case. We have appealed to the courts with new evidence, pointed out discrepancies that took place at trial, and the only alleged eyewitness (Homer Lane) recanted his statement to a prominent news reporter (Dan Cuellar). Despite new evidence, the courts have rejected our appeals because of Time-Barr (paper not filed in time) or because they claim the evidence does not prove innocence. However, if the evidence that we uncovered was introduced at trial, it would have proved the alleged witness was lying. Judge for yourself, read the evidence on this website.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania no longer has any credible case against Carmen. Any present-day examination of the facts reveals 40 years of wrongful imprisonment. This is a Miscarriage of Justice!

SIGN THE PETITION TO FREE CARMEN WOODS

Here's a short summary of Carmen Woods' case:

At approximately 2:15 a.m. on May 16, 1982, while Carmen Woods was at the Paradise Club on 48th and Master Street. Chester Laws, Junior was shot to death near the 1500 block of Felton Street, by an unknown assailant, miles away from the Paradise Club. Carmen was accused of this murder because of their past history of altercations.

In the summer of 1981, the two fought at a party given by Carmen. Chester who was drunk at the time refused to pay to get into the party, and then threatened Carmen when he asked him to leave. Chester then drew his fist and swung at Carmen. The two fought and Carmen broke Chester's jaw. After that incident, Chester threatened Carmen again. On a Friday night in October, while Carmen was walking up his front steps, Chester stepped into the middle of the street, pulled out a gun, and shot Carmen in the back. Chester was never arrested for this attempt to murder Carmen.

He had a reputation of being a troublemaker and a bully, just like his father Chester Laws, Senior (AKA "Tiger"). Both had many enemies. Because of Carmen’s history with the victim, he was an easy target; there were no leads or witnesses to link anyone to this crime. However, a vengeful father with connections to the Philadelphia police masterminded and influenced the investigating detectives to charge him of this crime. Along with an incompetent lawyer, an ambitious and manipulative district attorney, and a deceitful witness, Homer Lane. Plus, the missing sign-in book from the Paradise Club that the detectives alleged they couldn't find would have proved Carmen's innocence. Furthermore, the investigating detectives never looked for other suspects. Not to mention, the fact, that Carmen turned himself in to the Philadelphia police escorted by his uncle, thinking justice would prevail. And to this day, Carmen claims his innocence.

Office of the Governor Tom Wolf
508 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: 717-787-2500
Fax:  717-772-8284
E-mail: www.governor.pa.gov

DA, Larry Krasner District Attorney’s Office
Three South Penn Square
Philadelphia, PA19107-3499
Phone: 215-686-8000
Fax: 215-563-0047
E-mail: DA.WEBMAIL@phila.gov