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Thread: David Isaiah Godwin - North Carolina Death Row

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    David Isaiah Godwin - North Carolina Death Row


    Wendy Tamagne and Suspect David Godwin





    PROSECUTORS: Man cut up woman; caught on video buying hacksaw & trash bags

    By WITN News

    BEAUFORT, NC (WITN) - Jurors heard gruesome details this morning in the capital murder trial of a man accused of killing and then cutting up a Morehead City woman nearly two years ago.

    David Godwin could get the death penalty if convicted for the 2016 murder of Wendy Tamagne.

    The 37-year-old woman's body was found in her apartment by police after a welfare check on July 5, 2016. Police said she was beaten, strangled, and stabbed.

    In opening statements this morning, Assistant District Attorney David Spence says Godwin and the victim went out to celebrate the Fourth of July the night before the holiday. Arriving back at her apartment, Tamagne went upstairs and fell asleep, according to Spence, who said Godwin then went upstairs and killed her.

    After being notified by the victim's mother on July 5th that she was concerned about her, police went to her apartment and first found a bloody knife, and a blood-soaked bed upstairs, according to the assistant D.A. They also discovered the woman's cat and two guinea pigs dead in a trash can.

    Spence told jurors that a police detective cut open one of several trash bags found in another bedroom and inside was the woman's right arm and wrist.

    The state says video from Lowe's showed him purchasing a hacksaw on the morning of the 4th, as well as trash bags from the CVS. They say the hacksaw was found in the victim's apartment.

    Spence claims Godwin was wearing clothes that belonged to the woman's son in the videos, clothes that were later discovered in the apartment with the defendant's DNA.

    Godwin took a bus to Warrenton, Oregon, where prosecutors say he turned himself in after learning he was wanted for Tamagne's murder.

    The state gave no motive for the murder in their opening statement.

    Godwin's attorney, Buddy Connor, told jurors that this was not a case of who killed Wendy Tamagne, but why. His attorney says Godwin has been diagnosed with several disorders, including bipolar and Aspergers, while there is a history of psychosis and mental health.

    Connor added that his client first tried to kill himself in 2006 and has been involuntarily committed three times to mental facilities.

    The attorney claims Godwin has no recollection of the murder, waking up on the couch the next morning, went upstairs and saw her dead in the bedroom with a knife in her side.

    In a panic, Connor said Godwin left in the woman's pickup truck, and later decided he needed to "clean up" the murder scene.

    The victim's mother is expected to be one of the first witnesses the state calls after lunch.

    Previous Story

    The capital murder trial of a Newport man accused of killing and then cutting up the body of a Morehead City woman began this morning.

    David Godwin could get the death if convicted for the 2016 murder of Wendy Tamagne.

    The 37-year-old woman's body was found in her apartment by police after a welfare check on July 5, 2016. Police said she was beaten, strangled, and stabbed.

    Godwin was captured in Oregon.

    Jury selection for a capital murder trial at the Carteret County Courthouse took all of last week. Lawyers began with opening statements at 10:00 a.m.

    https://www.witn.com/content/news/507942821.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Gruesome details revealed during Newport man's death penalty trial

    By Cate Caviness, Nate Belt and Merrilee Moore
    WCTI12.com

    BEAUFORT, Carteret County — Prosecutors detailed a grisly scene Monday morning as a Newport man faces the death penalty in connection to a Morehead City woman's 2016 murder.

    28-year-old David Godwin, of Newport, sat with his head down, staring at the table in front of him, as the prosecution read their opening statement.

    Godwin is standing trial for beating, strangling, stabbing and dismembering 37-year-old Wendy Tamagne on July 4, 2016.

    Tamagne was recently divorced at the time of her death and living at Country Club Apartments, which is where her dismembered body was found on July 5.

    Police said Tamagne and Godwin knew each other and this was not a random act, but Godwin's defense team states something different.

    “It’s a case about genetic mental conditions," defense lawyers said in their opening statement.

    Godwin was "born mentally damaged to parents who had mental disorders" -- moving to seven different homes before he was 9 months old and later being adopted by the Godwin family.

    Godwin's defense team stated Tamagne's murder was not premeditated or intentional, but rather the result of genetics, trauma in his early childhood, lifelong mental illnesses and a strong anti-depressant drug mixed with alcohol.

    Godwin and Tamagne were good friends and drinking buddies, defense lawyers said. According to people who knew the pair, Tamagne and Godwin were seen fighting at a bar a few days before her remains were discovered.

    The last night anyone but Godwin saw Tamagne alive was on July 3 at George's Bar in Morehead City.

    At that point in Godwin's life, his defense team said he was not working, not going to school, living at home and spending 20 hours a day on the internet.

    Over 30 people sat silent in the courtroom as both sides' statements were read; Godwin sinking further into his chair with each sentence spoken.

    Tamagne's mother, Jill, was the one who told authorities something was wrong. The mother and daughter spoke often and when Jill was getting no response, each unanswered text sparked a growing concern. Jill was among those in the courtroom Monday.

    On July 5, Jill asked for a welfare check. When officers arrived to check on Tamagne, they instead found a bloody knife and a smashed cell phone on a table in the living room.

    Upon further investigation, authorities found a blood-soaked bed and Tamagne’s dead cat in the trash can, covered by Tamagne’s now-empty wallet.

    Authorities then opened several trash bags and found Tamagne's remains. According to reports, Godwin's fingerprints were found all over the apartment and he was even seen buying a hacksaw at Lowe's on July 4 -- something Godwin admitted to doing through his defense lawyer.

    The causes of death were ruled repeated blunt force trauma to the head, manual strangulation and a deep stab wound to the torso. According to an autopsy report, it's likely that Tamagne was straddled and punched repeatedly in the head. No defensive wounds were found on her body. Several post-mortem wounds were found but NewsChannel 12 will not release details due to their explicit nature.

    At this point in the opening statement, a member of the defense's team was seen rubbing Godwin's back.

    Defense lawyers said Godwin struggled with mania and claims Godwin doesn’t remember much about the night Tamagne was killed, but “knew he must have done it." Godwin said he woke up naked around 9 a.m. and sensed something was wrong.

    “This is not a ‘Who done it?’ This is a ‘Why did this happen?,’” Godwin's lawyer said. Defense lawyers say alcohol was a contributing factor, mixed with a bipolar condition, the night Tamagne was murdered.

    Prosecutors say after Godwin killed Tamagne, he drove her truck to Clayton, North Carolina, left the windows down, keys in the seat and walked 20 miles to a bus stop in Raleigh.

    Godwin bought a ticket under the name "Justin Mann," using the last name of Tamagne's boyfriend at the time. He dumped his cellphone and boarded a Greyhound bus to Oregon where he later turned himself in to authorities on July 8.

    When he eventually turned himself in, Godwin told them where to find the truck. When they found his cellphone, prosecutors say all previous searches had been erased but two: “first degree murder in North Carolina” and "death penalty in North Carolina."

    Godwin's trial is expected to last around two weeks. The first part of the trial will focus on whether or not the jury thinks he's guilty. The second part will focus on if he gets life in prison or the death penalty.

    https://wcti12.com/news/local-crime/...-penalty-trial
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Week 2 of David Godwin murder trial begins with defense testimony

    By Nate Belt and Jason O. Boyd
    WCTI12.com

    BEAUFORT, Carteret County — Week 2 of the David Godwin murder trial started Monday as the prosecution questioned its last witness before Godwin's defense took over.

    Godwin is accused of murdering Wendy Tamagne and dismembering her body in 2016.

    The defense brought in its first witness Monday afternoon ... Godwin's adopted mother Linda Godwin. She asked to say a few words before questioning began and directly addressed Tamagne's family, saying she was sorry for their loss. She was immediately cut off by the judge and asked to refrain from anymore extraneous comments.

    Godwin spoke about the troubled upbringing her adopted son had. She and her husband adopted David when he was four after fostering him for a couple years, his biological parents unable to provide for him.

    She said David was an angry and hurt child from an early age, arguing constantly and getting in trouble at school. She described three suicide attempts he made as a child, the first coming when he was only 10, another in his teens after his adopted father

    Vance Godwin was arrested for indecent liberties with a minor.

    David Godwin faces the death penalty for murdering Tamagne and dismembering her body in 2016. The trial is expected to continue at least through this week.

    https://wcti12.com/news/local/week-2...ense-testimony
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    Juror removed on day 7 of David Godwin Trial

    By WNCT News Staff

    BEAUFORT, N.C. (WNCT) - Wednesday's morning capital murder trial of David Godwin starts with one less juror.

    The judge removed juror #1 from the case after it came to his attention the juror had violated a court order.

    Jurors are ordered to not speak with any parties, witnesses, attorneys.

    The juror was seen on camera shaking a witness' hand who was sitting outside on the side of the road Tuesday afternoon after the court hearing. The juror defended himself saying his actions were in his nature after being a firefighter for a few decades; he made sure the witness was okay.

    The judge removed the juror and was fined $100.

    The case continued with 14 jurors as they heard William James Carter's testimony. Carter worked with Carteret County Department of Social Services from May 1992 to August 1995. His responsibility was to prevent further abuse and neglect in a family household.

    Godwin, who was David Pratt at the time, made constant visits to social services. Carter testified of the neglect Godwin experienced while under the care of his biological mother, Debra Pratt. Records indicate Debra was frequently at parties, had mental health issues, did not provide daycare, was unemployed and did not maintain a supply of food for Godwin.

    Carter recalls a time when Godwin was found with fleas on his legs.

    Court documentation shows an investigation was made after Godwin reported he was touched inappropriately by Debra. It was found sexual abuse between Debra and Godwin to be "unsubstantiated".

    The defense's next witness will take the stand after lunch.

    https://www.wnct.com/on-your-side/cr...ial/1091641766
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    David Godwin guilty of first degree murder in gruesome death of Morehead City woman

    By WITN News

    BEAUFORT, NC (WITN) - A Carteret County jury has found David Godwin guilty of first degree murder in the gruesome death of a Morehead City woman.

    Jurors deliberated about 90 minutes this afternoon.

    Godwin has been standing trial for the July 4, 2016 killing of 37-year-old Wendy Tamagne.

    The woman's body was found in trash bags inside her Morehead City apartment.

    The Newport man was found guilty on all counts. Those included first degree murder with malice, premeditation, and deliberation; first degree felony murder by means of robbery with a dangerous weapon; first degree felony murder by means of common law robbery; first degree felony murder by means of felonious dismemberment or destroying of human remains; and first degree murder by lying in wait.

    Prosecutors will now ask the same jury to give Godwin the death penalty.

    The man's lawyers said the case was not about who killed the woman, but why. Several of their witnesses testified that Godwin suffered from mental health issues.

    Previous Story

    A man accused of killing a Morehead City woman and then putting her body parts in trash bags did not take the witness stand in his capital murder trial.

    Today was the eighth and final day of testimony in the David Godwin trial in Beaufort.

    As his defense team wrapped up their case, Godwin told the judge he would not be testifying and that was solely his decision.

    Godwin could receive the death penalty if convicted in the July 4th, 2016 murder of Wendy Tamagne.

    The man's lawyers said the case was not about who killed the woman, but why. Several of their witnesses testified that Godwin suffered from mental health issues.

    The last witness was a Boston College professor, who interviewed Godwin for ten hours over two visits, as well as his family.

    Dr. Ann Burgess told jurors that in her expert opinion when the murder happened Godwin didn't have the mental capacity to form the specific intent to kill.

    Jurors in the case will hear closing arguments before they start deliberating guilt or innocence.

    https://www.witn.com/content/news/Go...508434171.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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    David Godwin sentenced to death in murder trial

    David Godwin, convicted in the murder of Wendy Tamagne, was sentenced to death on Tuesday in the Carteret County Superior Court.

    District Attorney Scott Thomas announced the death penalty sentence of Godwin, 28, of Newport, following a 4-week trial.

    On April 12, a jury found Godwin guilty of 1st-degree murder by premeditation and deliberation, by lying in wait, and by way of felony murder during the commission of an armed robbery, common law robbery, and felony dismembering of human remains in the July 4, 2016 death of Tamagne, 38, of Morehead City.

    On Tuesday, the same jury issued a recommendation that Godwin be sentenced to death, which presiding Resident Superior Court Judge Joshua W. Willey, Jr. then imposed.

    District Attorney Thomas also extended his condolences again to the Tamagne family and added his thoughts: “We committed to the family of Wendy that we would seek justice in her murder. In this case, we decided to seek the death penalty due to the aggravating factors present. Every murder is cruel by its very nature, but the death, in this case, was especially heinous, atrocious, and cruel. Our prayers continue to be with Wendy’s family and friends as they move forward after this 1st-degree murder conviction and sentence.”

    The trial began on March 25, 2019, with a week-long jury selection process to seat the 12 jurors and three alternate jurors who heard the evidence in the case.

    On April 1, the State called 21 witnesses over the course of more than four days to present evidence in the case which showed that on the evening of July 5, 2016, Tamagne’s mother went to her daughter’s apartment off Bridges Street in Morehead City after sending numerous text messages to which her daughter never responded.

    After knocking on the door of the apartment and not receiving a response, she called the police to report her missing.

    When Morehead City Police Officers Kenny Mannon and Lori Pittman responded, they were let into the apartment by a maintenance worker where they found a bloody knife on the coffee table in the living room and Tamagne’s cat dead inside of a trash can in the kitchen downstairs and sheets covered in blood inside the upstairs master bedroom.

    Morehead City Police Detectives Lyle Evans and Nat Festerman responded and Detective Evans located Tamagne’s body, which had been cut into pieces and concealed inside of trash bags inside an extra bedroom that was being used for storage.

    An investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation revealed that Godwin was the last person known to have been with Tamagne when the 2 of them left a bar together on July 3, 2016, after 11:00 p.m. and went back to Tamagne’s apartment.

    Phone records showed the last activity from Tamagne’s phone occurred at 3:47 a.m. before the phone was disabled sometime prior to 8:38 a.m. on July 4, 2016.

    SBI Agents Ransom Jones and Dean Saunders testified that a hacksaw found in the apartment was traced back to Lowe’s Home Improvement in Morehead City, where Godwin was seen making the purchase on surveillance video at 10:55 a.m.

    Further investigation revealed that Godwin drove Tamagne’s pickup truck back to her apartment after purchasing the hacksaw and left again to purchase the trash bags used to conceal the body from CVS Pharmacy in Morehead City at approximately 12:17 p.m.

    Godwin left Tamagne’s apartment for the final time in the early afternoon of July 4, making brief stops at his home in Newport and at a grocery store before driving Tamagne’s truck to Clayton before setting off on foot to a bus station in Raleigh where he used a false name to purchase one-way ticket to Warrenton, Oregon.

    Investigators found Tamagne’s truck in the parking lot of a gas station in Clayton with its door unlocked, a window rolled down, and the keys on top of the driver’s seat.

    The receipt for the hacksaw purchased from Lowe’s was located in the cupholder.

    On July 9, 2016, Godwin turned himself in to the Warrenton Police Department in Oregon.

    SBI ASAC Patrick Raynor, SA Jones, and Detective Festerman traveled to Oregon to return Godwin to North Carolina.

    An autopsy of Tamagne’s body revealed the cause of death to be asphyxiation, a stab wound near the left ear, and a cutting wound across the trachea.

    There were no defensive wounds on her body.

    The jury deliberated for approximately 80 minutes and returned its guilty verdicts.

    The sentencing phase of the trial began on April 16.

    The State alleged that the aggravating factors necessary for a finding of the death penalty were that:

    The murder was committed while the defendant was engaged in the commission of an armed robbery

    The murder was committed while the defendant was engaged in the commission of dismemberment of human remains

    The murder was committed for pecuniary gain

    The murder was especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel.

    The defense presented evidence in mitigation of the sentence, all of which the jury considered.

    (source: WNCT news)
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  7. #7
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    David Godwin entered North Carolina's death row on 04/23/2019.

    https://webapps.doc.state.nc.us/opi/...lts&listpage=1

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