Former NFL athlete Cierre Wood will spend life behind bars.
Cierre Wood, once a celebrated Notre Dame football star, has been convicted of the murder and child abuse of his girlfriend's young daughter, Fox News reported.
Wood, whose athletic career included brief periods in the NFL and Canadian Football League, faced charges following the death of the 5-year-old girl in his Las Vegas residence in April 2019.
The child, found with numerous bruises and signs of trauma, was under his care when the incidents occurred.
In a significant legal conclusion, Clark County District Court Judge Jacqueline Bluth presided over the case, ultimately ruling that Wood's sentences for murder and child abuse are to be served consecutively, ensuring a longer duration before eligibility for parole.
Under the terms of a plea agreement, Wood submitted an Alford plea—a legal move permitting him to maintain innocence while acknowledging that the prosecution's evidence could likely lead to his conviction if the case went to trial.
Wood’s tumultuous fall from professional sports to the courtroom has been marked by his move from the football field to facing judicial proceedings for severe criminal charges.
His time in the NFL spanned from 2013 to 2015, playing for teams like the Houston Texans, New England Patriots, and Buffalo Bills. He later joined the Canadian Football League in 2017.
The child's mother, Amy Taylor, also found herself embroiled in legal troubles, having pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree murder and child abuse. Her sentencing came earlier in the year as part of her plea agreement with the prosecution.
This case has drawn attention due to the involvement of a former professional athlete and the tragic death of a young child, highlighting severe issues surrounding child welfare and domestic circumstances.
The community and public alike have been shocked by the severity and nature of the crimes involved.
Cierre Wood, a former Notre Dame football player, has been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 10 years for the second-degree murder and felony child abuse of his girlfriend's 5-year-old daughter.
The crimes occurred in April 2019 at Wood's apartment in Las Vegas. The child's mother, Amy Taylor, also pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and felony child abuse earlier this year.
