http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/55814022/
Graterford murder Karate instructor testifies at trial
A three-time convicted murderer on trial for the June 5 slaying of a Iower Pottsgrove man employed at the State Correctional Institution at Graterford was described as “one of my better students” by his karate instructor, in the second day of testimony Tuesday in Montgomery County Courthouse.
Robert Woodson, 27, told the jury he taught James Taylor. 27, and 14 other inmates martial arts five hours a day for several months. Taylor is accused of killing Edward R. Boyer. 49. Sanatoga Road, with one karate chop to the side of the head. Police said Taylor was angered when Boyer served him eggs that were “inedible."
Woodson, serving a 5-to-15 year sentence for attempted rape and assault, testified about the events leading up to the incident. He said he had breakfast with Taylor that morning, and the suspect was complaining bitterly about the taste of the eggs. Woodson agreed that the eggs smelled bad that morning.
He said Taylor told him he was going to walk over and shove the eggs in the victim’s face. According to testimony taken at Taylor’s preliminary hearing, police said Taylor walked over to Mr. Boyer and started to argue about the eggs. Mr Boyer turned away. Taylor allegedly struck him on the side of the head, and the victim fell to the ground. On Monday, Assistant District Attorney John Burfete said in his opening statement that Mr. Boyer died of massive bleeding caused by a broken artery. Woodson testified that Taylor was “strong, good and quick,” and didn’t seem to be the type of person to misuse his training.
Despite the training, Woodson said Taylor was still "an amateur." Also testifying Tuesday were four guards and one other prisoner. Burfete indicated he had 35 witnesses to present, and that his case would be completed by Wednesday or Thursday. Defense Attorney Leo Eschbach did not say how long the defense would take.
The district attorney is seeking the death penalty for Taylor under a new state law which permits the death penalty when a prison inmate serving a life sentence kills a prison employe. Testimony before Judge Horace Davenport will continue today. Taylor murdered two persons in Pittsburgh in a firebombing incident in June, 1973, and a decapitated a third person. women s medical center Confidential Service birth control counseling free early detection pregnancy testing ( 215 ) 265-1880 outpatient abortion facility 20 minutes from Philadelphia 1710 DEKALB PIKE-KING OF PRUSSIA. PA. 19406 LISA’S HOME—Lisa Cruz, 15, stares from a window of her Chicago home Tuesday after she returned from Florida to attend her father’s funeral.
Paul Cruz, 41, died Thanksgiving Day after a lingering illness. His family said he called for Lisa, who ran away seven months ago, continually until he died. She learned of his death from a friend who was in Chicago over the weekend. Many newspapers, including The Mercury, carried stories of the search for her. APLaserphoto
Graterford murder Karate instructor testifies at trial
A three-time convicted murderer on trial for the June 5 slaying of a Iower Pottsgrove man employed at the State Correctional Institution at Graterford was described as “one of my better students” by his karate instructor, in the second day of testimony Tuesday in Montgomery County Courthouse.
Robert Woodson, 27, told the jury he taught James Taylor. 27, and 14 other inmates martial arts five hours a day for several months. Taylor is accused of killing Edward R. Boyer. 49. Sanatoga Road, with one karate chop to the side of the head. Police said Taylor was angered when Boyer served him eggs that were “inedible."
Woodson, serving a 5-to-15 year sentence for attempted rape and assault, testified about the events leading up to the incident. He said he had breakfast with Taylor that morning, and the suspect was complaining bitterly about the taste of the eggs. Woodson agreed that the eggs smelled bad that morning.
He said Taylor told him he was going to walk over and shove the eggs in the victim’s face. According to testimony taken at Taylor’s preliminary hearing, police said Taylor walked over to Mr. Boyer and started to argue about the eggs. Mr Boyer turned away. Taylor allegedly struck him on the side of the head, and the victim fell to the ground. On Monday, Assistant District Attorney John Burfete said in his opening statement that Mr. Boyer died of massive bleeding caused by a broken artery. Woodson testified that Taylor was “strong, good and quick,” and didn’t seem to be the type of person to misuse his training.
Despite the training, Woodson said Taylor was still "an amateur." Also testifying Tuesday were four guards and one other prisoner. Burfete indicated he had 35 witnesses to present, and that his case would be completed by Wednesday or Thursday. Defense Attorney Leo Eschbach did not say how long the defense would take.
The district attorney is seeking the death penalty for Taylor under a new state law which permits the death penalty when a prison inmate serving a life sentence kills a prison employe. Testimony before Judge Horace Davenport will continue today. Taylor murdered two persons in Pittsburgh in a firebombing incident in June, 1973, and a decapitated a third person. women s medical center Confidential Service birth control counseling free early detection pregnancy testing ( 215 ) 265-1880 outpatient abortion facility 20 minutes from Philadelphia 1710 DEKALB PIKE-KING OF PRUSSIA. PA. 19406 LISA’S HOME—Lisa Cruz, 15, stares from a window of her Chicago home Tuesday after she returned from Florida to attend her father’s funeral.
Paul Cruz, 41, died Thanksgiving Day after a lingering illness. His family said he called for Lisa, who ran away seven months ago, continually until he died. She learned of his death from a friend who was in Chicago over the weekend. Many newspapers, including The Mercury, carried stories of the search for her. APLaserphoto
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http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19831024&id=Xq5RAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0G0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2568,5678172
Philadelphia Daily News (PA) - October 22, 1983
KARATE PRO GUILTY OF KILLING GIRL
The mother of Benetta Pettiway yesterday kissed the members of a jury who had just convicted a karate expert who battered, raped and strangled her 11- year-old child. Robert "Kato" Woodson, 32, who has a previous teen-rape conviction, was found guilty yesterday of second-degree murder, which took place two years ago in West Oak Lane. Formal sentencing was deferred. Woodson could be sentenced to life in prison. Benetta Pettiway, whose naked body was found in an apartment house...
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http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19831024&id=Xq5RAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0G0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2568,5678172
Philadelphia Daily News (PA) - October 22, 1983
KARATE PRO GUILTY OF KILLING GIRL
The mother of Benetta Pettiway yesterday kissed the members of a jury who had just convicted a karate expert who battered, raped and strangled her 11- year-old child. Robert "Kato" Woodson, 32, who has a previous teen-rape conviction, was found guilty yesterday of second-degree murder, which took place two years ago in West Oak Lane. Formal sentencing was deferred. Woodson could be sentenced to life in prison. Benetta Pettiway, whose naked body was found in an apartment house...
Purchase Complete Article, of 296 words
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Xq5RAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0G0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=3760,5847068&dq=karate+convicted&hl=en
Convicted In Rape .
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Oct 24, 1983
PHILADELPHIA - A former karate instructor once convicted for attempted rape has been convicted of raping and murdering an 11-yearold north Philadelphia girl ...
Convicted In Rape .
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Oct 24, 1983
PHILADELPHIA - A former karate instructor once convicted for attempted rape has been convicted of raping and murdering an 11-yearold north Philadelphia girl ...