Woodworth Awaits Judge’s Ruling

A Chillicothe man whose murder conviction was recently overturned will find out Friday if he will be released from custody as the state prepares to put him on trial for a third time.  Platte County Judge Owens Hull, Jr., said during a packed hearing Wednesday that Mark Woodworth is eligible to be released on bond, but he did not rule on the issue.  Judge Hull said he would make a decision on the matter by Friday.  A representative for the state requested that Woodworth’s bond be set at $500,000.  Woodworth’s lawyer, Robert Ramsey, did not specify an amount.  He asked only that the amount be reasonable.

Woodworth has been serving a life sentence in the 1990 fatal shooting of his neighbor, Cathy Robertson.  The Missouri Supreme Court ruled in January that two former state prosecutors withheld evidence favorable to Woodworth’s defense.  A few days later, Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced that the state would seek a third trial.