New Jersey man gets life behind bars for murdering a woman

A 28-year old Trenton man will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole for murdering a woman in Willingboro in 2019, according to Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw.

Devon Woods and his accomplice, Sam Gore, 28, of Willingboro, were arrested following an early morning shooting on September 18, 2019 where the Trenton man fired a gun and killed Deasia Ayres of Willingboro with wounds to her neck and head while she sat inside of her Dodge Durango on Baldwin Lane in the Buckingham Park section of town.

(Vin Ebenau, Townsquare Media NJ)

Prosecutor Bradshaw said that the motive for this shooting was robbery.

Woods was later arrested, charged, and convicted of Felony Murder (First Degree) Murder (First Degree), Robbery (First Degree), Conspiracy to Commit Robbery (Second Degree), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Second Degree), Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Second Degree) and Certain Persons Not to Have Weapons (Second Degree).

Gore, who faces similar charges, remains with Woods in the Burlington County Jail.

DanHenson1, ThinkStock

“I commend everyone who was involved in the investigation and prosecution of this defendant,” Prosecutor Bradshaw said in a written statement. “This case strongly demonstrates our determination to work closely with our law enforcement partners to combat gun violence and maintain safe neighborhoods for Burlington County residents.”

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Prosecutor Bradshaw said that this case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Bob Van Gilst, supervisor of the BCPO Major Crimes Unit, and Assistant Prosecutor Rachel Conte.

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