Erie residents press council for answers 77 days after Marcello Woodard’s death

Dozens of Erie residents used the public-comment portion of the Erie City Council meeting on Sept. 17 to press elected officials for faster action and greater transparency in the investigation into the July 2 death of Marcello Woodard.

The meeting featured repeated requests for the district attorney to release information, calls for parole and law-enforcement body cameras, and demands for local accountability structures such as a civilian review board and expedited trauma services for the Woodard family.

The family’s girlfriend, Chimelle Henderson, addressed the council directly: "I'm standing here, brokenhearted, confused, with no answers. I want justice for my boyfriend." She described being detained the night Woodard was shot, saying she was "interrogated" and treated like a criminal before learning of his death.

Michelle Dovishaw, a longtime Erie resident, criticized council members for invoking Woodard's name when approving city spending and for what she said was a lack of public acknowledgment: "How dare you? ... I will make it my life's work till election day," she told the council.

Other speakers recounted fear and trauma in neighborhoods and a belief that the police treat Black residents differently. Shamir Henderson said officers were "so rough" with a woman who was in the car with Woodard the night he was shot and asked, "do [Erie police] have training on how to treat African Americans?" Diana Chatfield, a student at Collegiate Academy, said, "No justice, no peace," and asked why the investigation had taken 77 days.

Several speakers cited video evidence. Carla Arnone told the council the existence of a Ring video "disproves the original statement from the state about the officer being dragged," and urged council members to demand accurate public reporting and faster support for the family.

Some commenters proposed local reforms. Jared Staszewski asked whether the council had received a response to a July 25 letter sent to Gov. Josh Shapiro and asked about creating a citizens’ law enforcement advisory committee in Erie. Multiple speakers recommended trauma-informed therapy and expedited services for family members.

Council members and the mayor responded that while they support justice for Woodard and have made contacts with county and state officials, the city council does not have legal authority to compel the district attorney to release case details. At the meeting the council president said he had spoken with the Erie County council president, who had spoken with the district attorney but was told the DA could not share certain information "by law." Mayor (name not specified) echoed the personal support while noting limits on the council’s power to influence an active criminal investigation.

Some council members endorsed specific policy steps within their authority. Councilman Nelson said he would push for parole officers to wear body cameras, noting the governor has "signed legislation for the parole officers to wear body cams" and that the parole officer involved in this case reportedly was not wearing one.

Speakers also appealed for community supports. Councilmember/therapist Dr. Titus (referred to during the meeting) and other officials were asked to help connect the family with trauma-informed mental-health services and to consider public forums to address community concerns.

No formal council motions or votes related to the Woodard investigation were recorded during the meeting. Council members said they would continue making inquiries, but emphasized they cannot force prosecutorial or investigative disclosures.

A selection of public comments and council responses underscored the depth of local concern, including repeated requests for more transparency, timelier updates from prosecuting authorities, and concrete policy changes to reduce the likelihood of similar incidents.

Next steps noted at the meeting: individual council members reported making or offering to make contacts with county officials and the district attorney; residents requested a town meeting, expedited mental-health services for the family, and a civilian review mechanism for law-enforcement complaints.

Ending: The council meeting moved on to other business after public comment; no additional local actions on the Woodard case were adopted that evening.