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

[SewingDeb]

I wonder why this is a second degree murder charge?

 

[mysteriew]

I wonder why this is a second degree murder charge?

Just guessing, but maybe the think he just came there to 'talk' to her and then ended up being enraged and striking out?

 

[hollyjokers]

http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/61350.htm

I guess he is borrowing a page from Andrea Yates' defense: "I had to kill her to save her from sin"

What a guy!

Apparently he kept a diary & the police found it. Mentions Catherine by name.

 

[mysteriew]

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime_file/story/381477p-323924c.html

 

[SewingDeb]

This business of trying to protect her just blows me away. He's the type of man she needed protection against.

 

[mysteriew]

This business of trying to protect her just blows me away. He's the type of man she needed protection against.

Yeah, he couldn't get her to stop- so he killed her because he was afraid she might get hurt.

 

[SewingDeb]

Right....<gag> Well, I guess since they are only going for second degree, they'd better give him therapy. He'll be back out and dating in a few years.

 

[annie mae]

You got that right Sewing Deb. Literally makes me ill to know the scum-bag will be out in a few years to prey on another girl or ? But with his pretty lockes of hair he just might change his sexual preference while incarcerated. I am quite sure when Mr. Paul goes to the big-house he will become someone's little girl. Just had to put in my :twocents: annie Wishing ALL a Great New Year

 

[mysteriew]

Her bravery in coming forward led to an arrest in one of the city's bloodiest killings: the brutal slashing of a beautiful brunette stripper.

But now, a Manhattan woman who told police that she, too, had suffered violence at the hands of accused murderer Paul Cortez has stopped cooperating with prosecutors, The Post has learned.
http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/62261.htm

 

[Dark Knight]

I just saw the story on 48 Hours: Mystery tonight. Truly a sad story, and Cortez sure looks guilty. It's scary that you can leave someone for just 20 minutes and come back to find them brutally murdered. No surprise her roomate/boyfriend was the initial suspect, as it made me suspicious too, but apparently it can happen! I pray for justice, and for peace for her family. They appeared to be doing as well as can be expected in their interview.

 

[tweedledee]

My thing is this. If I walked into my apartment and found my Girlfriend laying dead on the floor I would have blood all over me from going to her and trying to help her. especially if we were having a "Lovely Evening"


:bang:

Bingo! That's exactly what I thought of. He has NO blood on him? Come on. he didn't even get close enough to see if there was some outside chance she was still alive. Big red flag IMO

 

[Dark Knight]

Bingo! That's exactly what I thought of. He has NO blood on him? Come on. he didn't even get close enough to see if there was some outside chance she was still alive. Big red flag IMO

If she was nearly decapitated, it may have been obvious she was beyond help. The evidence points to Cortez rather than her b/f at this point, including him being at the building at the time of the murder.

 

[cheko1]

I watched it on 48 Hrs also....if I walked in & found someone apparently dead / blood all over & it was apparent they were close to decapitated. I'd hurry get the heck out of there...not touch a thing..........call 911 just as he did.

 

[nanandjim]

I watched the 48 Hours show, too. It was mentioned that Cortez had expected Catherine to spend Thanksgiving with him and his family, which was three days before the murder. Instead, she spent it with her other boyfriend/roommate. I can well imagine that Cortez was angry and embarrassed. He probably stewed over this and wanted to get even with her for being played.

They said that Cortez called her several times that night. I can well imagine that he knew her routine and watched as the other boyfriend left the building. He then either was let in by Catherine or somehow got in the building. She opened the door, thinking it was her ride.

I didn't realize that Cortez was a smart young man who apparently had a lot going for him. Too bad that he threw it all away.

I really feel sorry for Catherine's family. Such a sad, sad situation.

 

[annie mae]

I watched it on 48 Hrs also....if I walked in & found someone apparently dead / blood all over & it was apparent they were close to decapitated. I'd hurry get the heck out of there...not touch a thing..........call 911 just as he did.

I agree with you 150%. Some folks, like myself, would probably just ran for the hills in fear. I once saw my girlfriend get stabbed repeatedly by her boyfriend and I went into shock, just froze. Another friend had to slap me back into reality. Fortunately my friend is still with us today but sports the scars of that night, forever. He did 9 years. Everyone re-acts different.

 

[mattsmom]

I just read that his trial is expected to start Jan 22 in New York Supreme Court in Manhatten.

I feel badly for his mother who says she thinks he is innocent but I think he did it and hope that more proof comes out in trial.

My prayers go out to the Woods family - may they find peace after this trial.

 

[mattsmom]

The trial of Paul Cortez for his brutal murder of Catherine Woods is supposed to start on Jan 22. I can't find any information about it at this point so I don't know if there has been a delay.

Here's the websleuths link to the thread about Catherine's murder:

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32780

If anyone has any info please share it!

Thanks.

 

[Alice253]

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/01/19/ap3344558.html

Hi mattsmom. This is the only thing I've found so far. When you go to the link, scroll down to Jan. 22.

AP News Calendar
Associated Press 01.19.07, 2:31 PM ET

New York - Trial for Paul Cortez, charged in the mutilation death of ex-girlfriend Catherine Woods, an aspiring dancer from Ohio who wound up working as a topless dancer.

 

[William N]

Cortez's lawyer refused to show up yesterday or today. The defense tactic is to delay, delay, delay. Catherine Crier had a segment on the case this evening.

 

[mattsmom]

Originally Posted by: William N
Cortez's lawyer refused to show up yesterday or today

I don't know much about trials. Can a defense attorney stay on the case after not showing up?