New lawyers appointed in Wood case
DeFUNIAK SPRINGS - Jeffery Duane Wood, now charged with three misdemeanors in connection with an open house party at his residence in January, went before County Judge David W. Green in a pre-trial hearing April 15. The last of the misdemeanors was reduced from a felony count of perjuring official proceedings on January 23.
It is alleged alcohol served at Wood's home on Jan. 3 led to the car crash that killed South Walton High School student Meghan Burkhart-Smith.
Wood s charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, holding an open house party and knowingly giving false information to a law enforcement officer in connection with an alleged crime.
According to John Molchan, assistant state attorney, the maximum penalty faced by Wood if convicted on all three of these charges is imprisonment of two years, 60 days, and/or $2,500 in fines.
In March, Wood entered a plea of not guilty on all charges.
In the pre-trial hearing, Jeremy Keich of the DeFuniak Springs firm of Ramey and Bytell represented Wood. Bytell and Ramy was appointed by the court. County Judge David W. Green instructed Wood to meet with his lawyer before the new docket date of April 21 when he must enter a plea on the reduced charges or move for continuation of the case.
Another student involved in the accident, Elyse Bushee, 17, has been charged with DUI manslaughter, DUI with injury, DUI, possession of alcohol by a minor and failing to stop at a stop sign. It is unclear at this time whether Bushee, who was 16 at the time of the accident, will be tried as an adult. Bushee is scheduled to enter a plea on May 19.
