Life Sentence Given for Killing of 2 Anamosa Prison Workers

Thomas Woodard will be in prison for the remainder of his life. That was the judge's sentence today, Thursday, for Woodard regarding his role in the murder of two Anamosa prison workers last March, KCRG reports. Altogether, Woodard was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping, and an attempt to commit murder. Woodard pleaded guilty to all charges on Friday, August 6th.

Woodard was attempting to escape along with another inmate last March

On the morning of Tuesday, March 23, inmates Thomas Woodard and Michael Dutcher attempted to escape the Anamosa State Penitentiary. During the attempted escape, correctional officer Robert McFarland and nurse Lorena Schulte were killed in a voilent attack. For his role, Woodard was also ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution to both the estates of Robert McFarland Lorena Schulte.

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Woodard was also ordered to pay more than $300 to Lori Mathis. Mathis was another prison employee that was threatened during the violent and failed escape attempt, according to the KCRG report.

Michael Dutcher via Vinelink

Unlike Woodard, Michael Dutcher pleaded not guilty claiming the killings were in self-defense. he also waived his right to a speedy trial and will have his case heard in September. Governor Kim Reynolds condemned the attacks in March as "tragic and heinous". The attack occurred in the prison’s infirmary. Both victims were killed with a hammer.

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