Man pleads guilty in road rage shooting on U.S. 95

Published Monday, Jan. 26, 2009 | 8:25 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009 | 6:15 p.m.

James W. Pribble

A Las Vegas man charged in a high-profile road rage shooting pleaded guilty to all charges in Clark County District Court on last week.

James Pribble, 29, pleaded guilty Jan. 20 to assault with a deadly weapon, battery with substantial bodily harm and removing the serial number from a firearm.

His sentencing is scheduled for 8 a.m. on March 3 and he could face two months to six years in prison, said Deputy District Attorney Nell Keenan.

Pribble stated in court documents that accepting this plea bargain was in his best interest and a jury trial was not.

Prosecutors said Pribble shot 29-year-old Melissa Woodward on April 6, 2008, after their two vehicles nearly collided on U.S. 95 near Cheyenne Avenue.

Melissa Woodward was in the passenger seat of a silver Saturn four-door driven by her husband, Thomas Woodward. Pribble was driving a burgundy Jeep Cherokee.

Pribble told Metro Police that after the two cars pulled over to the highway shoulder, Thomas Woodward charged at him.

Pribble fired four times at the ground with his 9 millimeter Ruger pistol and one round struck Melissa Woodward in the left abdomen, according to court documents.

After realizing his wife had been shot, Thomas Woodward drew his wife’s .40 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun and fired three rounds at Pribble, but missed.

Pribble then drove away in his vehicle. Melissa Woodward was hospitalized and later released.

Pribble, a 17-year resident of Las Vegas, will request to have his bail of $50,000 lowered on Feb. 3 so he can return to his job as an iron worker.

Keenan said its unclear when Pribble removed the serial number from his Ruger pistol.

Jeff O’Brien can be reached at 990-8957 or jeff.obrien@hbcpub.com.