Attorney: Man charged in wife’s death could die before trial

By Jeff Pope

Monday, Oct. 5, 2009 | 3:47 p.m.

An 86-year-old man accused of shooting his wife to death then turning the gun on himself might not live long enough to stand trial, his attorney said.

Deputy Public Defender Dan Silverstein said today that his client, Joseph Woods, suffers from numerous health problems that require medical attention that is inadequate in the county jail.

Woods sat in a wheelchair during his appearance in Las Vegas Justice Court this morning for a bail hearing. He’s charged with murder with use of a deadly weapon.

He’s been held in the Clark County Detention Center since Friday when he was released from University Medical Center, Silverstein said.

Justice of the Peace Nancy Oesterle did not address bail but set a hearing for Thursday to allow the couple’s three grown children to provide his medical history.

“He’s not going to make it in custody. He’s just not,” Silverstein said.

Silverstein asked for Woods to be released on a $5,000 bond so he could be taken home and looked after by his son. Woods was taking 16 prescription medications prior to his arrest.

The physical suffering of Woods and his wife, Kay, led them to try and end their lives on Sept. 23, according to documents. Woods shot his wife in the bedroom of their home at 1808 S. 10th Street, police said. He then shot himself in the chest.

The couple’s children found them the next morning. Joseph was still breathing but Kay was dead.

Silverstein said the Woods’ children told him Kay had attempted suicide the previous two days.

“Mr. Woods and his wife planned to do this, planned to go together,” he said.

Prosecutors said they would challenge the bail in a written motion before Thursday.