Evidence leads to 2nd arrest in 2012 Christmas Eve murder

Witnesses at trial for 1st suspect identified 2nd man involved in murder

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After years of investigation, new evidence has led to an arrest in connection with a Christmas Eve murder in 2012.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrested Coden Cortez Chambers, 25, on Monday evening. He is the second person to be arrested and charged with the murder of Harold Woodard III.

MORE ON 1ST SUSPECT: Suspect's bloody fingerprint leads to murder arrest

Detectives said Woodard, 23, was beaten and shot multiple times inside his Westside apartment off Timuquana Road.

Who is Chambers?

During the trial for the first suspect, who was convicted, witnesses said there was a second possible suspect in the murder.

He was identified as Chambers, but it took investigators several years to collect evidence to arrest him in connection with the murder. 

Chambers was taken into custody Monday without incident. He is set to appear before a judge at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Records show Chambers has four prior arrests in Duval County for charges ranging from possession of a firearm by adjudicated delinquent and carrying a concealed weapon to resisting an officer without violence and disorderly conduct. He also served time for possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.  

The murder

The Sheriff’s Office was called to the Savannah Oaks Apartment complex the night of Monday, Dec. 24, 2012, after people reported hearing gunshots. When police arrived, they found Woodard on the living room floor with a gunshot wound.

A witness reported seeing two men leaving his apartment -- one of them was carrying what appeared to be a gun box. 

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office booking photo of George Williams

Police arrested George Williams IV (pictured) in February 2013, after they found a bloody fingerprint belonging to Williams on a shoebox inside Woodard’s bedroom.

Williams was tried and convicted for the crime.


About the Authors:

Reports weekdays on The Morning Show