Erie residents demand DA transparency and civilian review board after Marcello Woodard’s death

Dozens of residents used the City of Erie’s citizens-to-be-heard period to demand action and transparency in the death of Marcello “Cello” Woodard, saying the family and community have received too little information and urging elected officials to press the district attorney’s office to act.

Jennifer Kennedy, a city resident and organizer, told council, “Right now, your silence is loud,” and said she is drafting a council resolution asking the district attorney’s office and the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole to appear before city council to explain investigative steps. Kennedy said a formal resolution would “show that this council recognizes the gravity of what has happened” and urged council members to sponsor and bring the draft to a vote.

Speakers throughout the evening framed the issue as both a request for procedural transparency and a call for broader reform. Mimi O’Connor described the death as “an emergency of justice” and asked officials not to “take our eyes off of her tears.” Multiple speakers said they had received little or no direct contact from the DA’s office and urged better family communication.

Several residents asked the city to move on structural reforms. Carla Arno and others urged the creation of a civilian police review board to provide community oversight; Arno said she has “hope for cooperation” after recent town halls and No Hate events. Malcolm Pulliam said the delay in public action feels like an injustice and pledged to keep public pressure until charges are filed.

Council members acknowledged the emotional weight of the testimony and said the community’s concerns deserve discussion. Staff and at least one council member noted limits to the city’s direct authority—investigations by the DA and state parole board are outside the council’s prosecutorial control—but speakers urged symbolic and political steps, including a council resolution urging local prosecuting authorities to increase transparency and to appear before the council.

The council did not take immediate formal action on a resolution at the Nov. 19 meeting; Ms. Kennedy said she will seek a sponsor and asked council members to commit to bringing her draft to a future vote. The most probable near-term outcome is a request to coordinate with the DA’s office and to consider the creation of oversight mechanisms at the city or county level. The movement behind these requests said it will continue organizing and returning to council meetings until it gets a clear public response from prosecuting authorities.