Civil rights attorney Ben Crump speaks on shooting death of Marchello Woodard

Erie, Pa (WJET/WFXP)– The shooting death of Marchello Woodard by a state parole agent last month has caught the attention of a nationally known civil rights attorney, and he’s here in Erie to address the incident. 

JET 24 reporter Jade Leah Burns was at Second Baptist Church on East 26th Street, where nationally known civil rights attorney Ben Crump held a news conference. 

Second Baptist Church erupted with a standing ovation and chanting as soon as nationally known civil rights attorney Ben Crump made an appearance.

He stood alongside Attorney Thomas Fitzpatrick and the grieving family of Marchello Woodard, addressing the shooting death of Woodard that took place just over a month ago.

Crump said he was amazed when he came across this incident. His whole message is that it ultimately comes down to the video that was captured.

“They’ve been selling the false narrative that said that the officer’s life was in danger because he was being dragged, but when you look at the video, you see those three shots rang out and the car hasn’t moved,” he said.

Woodard, 43, was fatally shot by a state parole agent while allegedly attempting to flee a compliance check.

The legal team demanded full accountability and an independent investigation into what they said was an avoidable use of deadly force on a black man.

“We have had a conversation with the district attorney,” Fitzpatrick said. “We are moving beyond listening to reason and negotiating when unarmed black people end up dead.”

During the conference, Attorney Crump recognized how the parole agents are state employees. How now calls out the governor and attorney general before they take their next steps.

“We have the discretion as civil rights as civil rights lawyers to file a civil rights wrongful death lawsuit,” Crump said.

“I wish this confusion, suffering, and pain on no one,” said Malakai Woodard, Marchello Woodard’s son. “All I have to say is if this happened to us, it can definitely happen to you.”

Representatives from the family said this incident, making national headlines, is long overdue, but now that they have the attorney, they are hoping to use this platform to go viral and find justice.

Related Stories:

• Ben Crump joining Woodard family in seeking answers for shooting
• Family of Marchello Woodard still looking for answers one month later
• Video allegedly shows fatal shooting of Marchello Woodard, protests continue
• Community demands answers for Marchello Woodard at Erie City Council meeting
• Court documents detail events prior to Erie fatal parole agent shooting