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Ezra McCandless sentencing WATCH LIVE: Ezra McCandless, who stabbed a man to death, is being sentenced in Dunn County Court.Information on the case: https://wqow.com/2020/02/07/watch-live-9-a-m-ezra-mccandless-sentenced-in-dunn-county-court/ Posted by WQOW News 18 on Friday, February 7, 2020

Dunn County (WQOW) - Friday, Ezra McCandless, the woman convicted in a 2018 murder in Dunn County will learn if she ever sees the outside of a prison again.

Investigators say in March of 2018 she stabbed Alexander Woodworth 16 times, leaving his body in a car in the town of Springbrook between Eau Claire and Menomonie.

In November, a jury found McCandless guilty of 1st degree intentional homicide which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

The case has garnered a lot of national attention. The entire trial was carried by Court TV and a crew from CBS' "48 Hours" will also be on hand Friday.

Previous Story from Nov 1, 2019 - McCandless found guilty



Dunn County (WQOW) – After three weeks of testimony and three hours of jury deliberation, Ezra McCandless has been found guilty of killing Alexander Woodworth.

The jury deliberated for over three hours on Friday night before coming to a conclusion.

The prosecution decided to end its case by focusing on what they called McCandless’ lies and inconsistencies in her previous statements as well as encouraging the jury to look at the physical and DNA evidence presented earlier.

The prosecution claimed McCandless changes her story along the course of the investigation and trial. They say physical evidence compiled, such as blood spots, the position of the body and injuries to both McCandless and Woodworth do not match up with her testimony in the case.

They also brought up DNA evidence, saying the physical facts don’t line up with McCandless’ recount of the events on the day of Woodworth’s death and she continues to lie to avoid the facts lining up.

“It is clear beyond a reasonable doubt the defendant sitting there is guilty of 1st degree intentional homicide. It’s time to tell the defendant no more lies. You’re not going to get away with just one more lie. Make her take responsibility for Alex’s death,” said Assistant Attorney General Richard Dufour.

The defense says McCandless was acting in self-defense when she stabbed Woodworth. They have said throughout the trial she feared for her life and was doing anything and everything she could do to avoid losing her life.

The defense says McCandless was not in a good mental state to recount all the facts at the time.

They argue McCandless’ behavior is consistent with symptoms of PTSD. Her lawyer said the prosecution did not prove McCandless’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The defense brought up many times that McCandless told medical personnel and law enforcement that she was scared, in pain and had been harmed.