2nd Degree Murder Prosecution

Beating Death Leads to Second Degree Murder Conviction and Life Sentence

The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office has announced Michael Thomas Woods, age 44 from Reno, has been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole beginning after a minimum of 10 years has been served.  Woods pled guilty in June to a charge of Second-Degree Murder in connection with the November 2020 beating death of 47-year-old David Rowe. 

Woods was arrested by detectives with the Reno Police Department (RPD) following an investigation into the beating death of the defendant’s ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend.  The investigation into the beating determined that Woods confronted the victim at a house they had previously shared and attacked him.   An autopsy later determined that the victim had suffered a lumbar fracture and died of blunt force trauma.   

At sentencing, Deputy District Attorney Jeff Hoppe argue that the crime was motived by uncontrollable jealousy and anger.  DDA Hoppe further argued that Woods inability to control his emotions is a danger to our community and that the loss suffered by the deceased victim’s family and children requires the maximum punishment.