JUVENILE PETITION FILED IN ORANGE COUNTY HOMICIDE CASE
Hillsborough, NC (September 20, 2022) – Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood announced this afternoon that the investigation into the deaths of Devin Clark, 18, and Lyric Woods, 14, led authorities to seek a juvenile petition against a 17 year old for two counts of first-degree murder. Juvenile court personnel with the Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention filed the petition this afternoon.
Sheriff Blackwood said, “Through the hard work of my investigators, along with the assistance of personnel from many other law enforcement agencies, we have identified a suspect in this case. We will now work with local, state, and federal authorities to apprehend and present the suspect to the court system.”
Beginning December 1, 2019, 16- and 17-year-old individuals who commit crimes in North Carolina are no longer charged automatically in the adult criminal justice system. If there is a notice of indictment or the court finds probable cause for a Class A-G felony committed by a 16 or 17 year old, a district court judge shall transfer the case to superior court. First-degree murder is a Class A felony.
Sheriff Blackwood also said, “I want to thank the families of Devin Clark and Lyric Woods for trusting us and the investigative process during this excruciatingly painful time. I hope the imminent apprehension of this subject will bring them some comfort as they mourn their loved ones.”
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) has an active task force program within the office. Through inter-agency agreements, the OCSO has relationships with many other law enforcement agencies. When needed, multiple agencies work together to investigate crime, leveraging their skills, talents, and experiences.
Said Blackwood, “I am eternally grateful for the relationships we have with local, state, and federal partners. I would like to specifically thank the Alamance County Sheriff’s Office, the Burlington Police Department, the Efland Fire Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Viper Unit with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol for their instrumental assistance.”
The investigation remains active. Anyone with additional information is asked to call Investigator Keith Goodwin at (919) 245-2918.
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