Lawyer: Man, 86, to plead guilty in death of ailing wife

Joseph Woods, the 86-year-old accused of fatally shooting his wife before attempting suicide, will plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter, his lawyer said.

Woods is accused of the Sept. 24 shooting of his 80-year-old wife, Kay, who suffered from chronic pain and illness.

Joseph Woods on Friday waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Las Vegas Justice Court, Deputy Public Defender Dan Silverstein said. Woods will be arraigned Dec. 2 in District Court.

Prosecutors will not make any recommendation during the sentencing hearing, Deputy District Attorney Aaron Nance said.

Woods will be sentenced by Judge James Bixler at a later date, Silverstein said. Woods could be given probation or up to 10 years in prison for the charge.

He did not appear in court. He has been in a nursing home since his October release from the Clark County Detention Center because of his medical condition.

Authorities said the husband and wife had a murder-suicide pact. They were found in bed at their home at 1808 S. 10th St., near St. Louis Avenue and Maryland Parkway.

Kay Woods died at the scene from a gunshot wound to her shoulder. Joseph Woods shot himself in the abdomen.

Silverstein said the real victory was getting Joseph Woods into the nursing home for proper medical care. He described his client's health as very poor or as good "as any 86-year-old who had shot himself in the stomach."

When asked whether his client regretted shooting his wife, Silverstein said Woods regretted that he did not join her.

Nance said he did not wish to comment on the case.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.