Suspect to Stand Trial in La Mesa Kidnap-Robbery

A man wanted by Philadelphia authorities in the slaying of his mother has been ordered to stand trial on charges of kidnaping and robbery in La Mesa.

Ernest Woods Jr. will be tried in Superior Court on four counts of armed robbery, one of kidnaping and one of false imprisonment.

Woods, a 32-year-old drifter, will be held in lieu of $3 million bail until he is arraigned July 7.

According to testimony at the preliminary hearing Tuesday, Woods broke into his uncle’s La Mesa home and used a gun to demand money.

Ed Woods, 77, said his nephew held a gun to his head and ordered him not to move. The defendant told him that he had killed his mother and would not hesitate to kill him, Ed Woods testified before Municipal Judge Lawrence W. Stirling.

The elderly Woods, who lives with his 78-year-old disabled wife, said he was tied to his bed and gagged with a sock and duct tape.

Their boarder, Diane McFarley, testified Tuesday that Woods forced her to drive him to a local high school, where he picked up a bag. Woods demanded that McFarley drive back to the La Mesa house, where she was able to flee.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Kristin Anton said Woods was also ordered to stand trial for robbing two shoe stores late last year.

Philadelphia police discovered the beaten and stabbed body of 65-year-old Alice Woods in her home June 5.