NY - Catherine Woods, 21, stabbed to death in her NYC apartment, 27 Nov 2005

[mattsmom]

I found some articles about the defense attorney's refusal to show up on Mon or Tues.

http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/23/20070123-D7-00.html

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070123/NEWS01/301230022

http://www.1010wins.com/pages/188231.php?contentType=4&contentId=293853
I can't find any information on what happened in court on Wednesday.

I just hope that this mess of a defense attorney doesn't give way to a mistrial. I wish I knew more about the legal system.

 

[mattsmom]

It looks like the jury was selected late last week and opening arguments are expected Monday (1/29/07).

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime_file/story/492038p-414478c.html

 

[mattsmom]

Not much happening yet. One of the links states that Cortez could face 25 years to life if convicted. 25 years doesn't seem like enough!


http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=243232

http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/01/30/20070130-D3-01.html

 

[nanandjim]

...I think he did it...

I think that he did it, too. I believe that they found a fingerprint of his in her blood. Here are a couple of links to recent articles about the trial.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime_file/story/493125p-415340c.html

http://www.courttv.com/news/2007/0131/cortez_woods_ctv.html


http://www.nypost.com/seven/0131200...ash_mystery_regionalnews_jennifer_fermino.htm

 

[Masterj]

There is not a doubt in my mind that he did it. His neighbor recalled seeing him outside in the freezing cold in his underwear throwing a large bag of trash out.

Also, if I am not mistaken, isn't the guy she lived with her ex boyfriend? This happened by my old apartment last year. I remember how scared I was when I first heard of this. I really wish the lame NY papers would refer to her in a kinder manner rather than constantly referring to her as a topless dancer, etc. What relevance does that have to her murder?

 

[curious1]

Wow. Mr. Cortez thought he was one smooth dude. I have read this thread from beginning to end. He was concerned about the 'negative energy' around her, yeah that negative energy was YOU asswipe!!!! Sorry, I get carried away sometimes. Anywhoo....so he was wearing a mask, hiding behind all this yoga and meditation stuff. I knew a guy just like him. So charming, holding the door, always talking about yoga, meditation or working out and finding your inner spirit and they want to show you the path so you can find peace. Then you start dating him and the real 'man' comes out and they are possesive and controlling. Been there done, that.....had my roomates woken up all hours of the night because he was checking to make sure I was home at 2 AM during the week. Had my car window busted out and my best friends life threatened when I broke up with him and was so fearful of my well being that I moved out of town. He seemed like the perfect guy until.......

 

[nanandjim]

...I really wish the lame NY papers would refer to her in a kinder manner rather than constantly referring to her as a topless dancer, etc. What relevance does that have to her murder?

I agree. This was a beautiful, decent girl. She would not have "stripped" forever. She was a talented dancer. I believe that she would have made it on Broadway had she had the opportunity to live.

I also believe that this guy did it. No doubt in my mind. I think that he will be found guilty. IMO, he should get the death sentence. However, I'm not sure that death penalty is an option in NY.

 

[nanandjim]

...Had my car window busted out and my best friends life threatened when I broke up with him and was so fearful of my well being that I moved out of town. He seemed like the perfect guy until.......

So glad that you are alive. You must have been scared out of your mind. These guys are useless cowards. These guys do not change, IMO.

 

[Peter Hamilton]

Well, as Ted Bundy once said, "Some people are not psychologically ready for failure"--Bundy was trying to explain his murder spree, the fact that he was a failure at trying to become a lawyer and that he was a failure at keeping up his relationship with his rich girlfriend(She told him to go to hell,he wasn't "good enough"he was just,a step above white trash)---This killer here is a freaking animal, I hope he rots in prison--too bad no death penalty for him

 

[curious1]

So glad that you are alive. You must have been scared out of your mind. These guys are useless cowards. These guys do not change, IMO.

Well to tell you the truth I moved out of town for 2 reasons....1) to try to get his focus off of my family 2) so I would not end up in prison. I was sooo angry at this guy for bothering my family and friends and hounding me and threating me that if I had stayed I really think I would have 'hurt' him the next time he confronted me.

What a day on Websleuths. I have read about 2 cases today that really hit home with me. I guess we see a little bit of ourselves in each victim when we come here.

 

[barb0301]

I really wish the lame NY papers would refer to her in a kinder manner rather than constantly referring to her as a topless dancer, etc. What relevance does that have to her murder?

How true ! As if the crime wasn't bad enough, they have to continually "sensationalize" it by referring to her this way. Her life mattered as much as any other life, and she deserves to be referred to in a more dignified manner.

 

[curious1]

I know, I got so tired of seeing 'Stripper', 'Topless Dancer', ugh why not just 'Young Woman'? The media really just doesn't get it sometimes.

 

[Masterj]

I know, I got so tired of seeing 'Stripper', 'Topless Dancer', ugh why not just 'Young Woman'? The media really just doesn't get it sometimes.

And the picture they frequently run of her in the paper looks like a still from her work where she is pouting sexily. It drives me insane! Her poor family.

nana - it turns out the death penalty is an option in NY. I read the other day that this scum who was just convicted of killing 2 undercover NY police officers was sentenced to death. The paper said this is the first death penalty sentence in years (can't remember exact year but I want to say since the 1960s but I could be way off base). When that scum was sentenced to death, he turned to the cop's widow and stuck his tongue out at her while his mother screamed at the victim's family that they were ruining her son's life. :waitasec:

 

[SewingDeb]

My understanding is that NY only has the death penalty for cop killers. Anyone know for sure?

 

[Masterj]

My understanding is that NY only has the death penalty for cop killers. Anyone know for sure?

I didn't realize that. I'll have to look that up. Thanks SewingDeb! I love that I always learn new things from various posters.

 

[nanandjim]

......When that scum was sentenced to death, he turned to the cop's widow and stuck his tongue out at her while his mother screamed at the victim's family that they were ruining her son's life. :waitasec:

Whoa. Unbelievable. I think that SewingDeb says that only cop killers are eligible for the death penalty. I think that she is right. I think that this guy is charged with second degree murder because only cop killers are eligible for the first degree murder charge. I live in NY; however, I don't share many of their views.

 

[nanandjim]

Here's another article concerning Cortez's trial. This guy was obviously obsessed with Katherine, not to mention his fingerprint in her blood being found at the scene.

http://www.courttv.com/trials/cortez/020107_ctv.html

 

[concernedperson]

Here's another article concerning Cortez's trial. This guy was obviously obsessed with Katherine, not to mention his fingerprint in her blood being found at the scene.

http://www.courttv.com/trials/cortez/020107_ctv.html

There were a couple of people on CC's Show tonight that said he was so nice and he couldn't do this type of thing. Have we heard this before? One was a member of a yoga group and the other was a photographer who took his "glam" shots. She said she was a New Yorker and she would know if anything was amiss.I wish I had their crystal ball.

 

[mikesmom1989]

Whoa. Unbelievable. I think that SewingDeb says that only cop killers are eligible for the death penalty. I think that she is right. I think that this guy is charged with second degree murder because only cop killers are eligible for the first degree murder charge. I live in NY; however, I don't share many of their views.

Hi There --- This guy was death penalty eligible because he was tried by the feds. IN NY, the only way you can go for the death penalty is if you are prosecuted in federal court, which is what happened in this case, the DA deferred to the government to ensure DP eligibility.

 

[mattsmom]

More trial news for those who are interested:


http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/02/03/20070203-D3-02.html

http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2007/02/02/20070202-B2-00.html

http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=243952

http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=62514

http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=6035526