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Letterkenny Twp. man to serve 70+ years in attempted murder of Pa. state troopers

Larry-Woodal.jpg

Larry Woodal (Photo: Submitted)

(Chambersburg) — In front of about 100 law enforcement and judicial officials, Letterkenny Township man Larry Woodal Jr. was sentenced to serve a minimum of  70 years in prison for the attempted murder of two Pennsylvania State Police troopers.

Woodal, 46, was sentenced to between 70 and 140 years in state prison on convictions of attempted murder, aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person.

During the evening of July 17, 2015, Woodal got into a shootout with state troopers Charles Christopher and Ralph Hockenberry at his home in the 4500 block of Rocky Springs Road. Christopher was shot in the leg, suffering disfiguring injury and permanent damage.

Radio calls from the shooting, including the call of “shots fired, one hit,” were played as a reminder of just how serious the incident was, especially as it was happening. 

Woodal did not share much with the court Wednesday morning, but he did bring up the belief that one of the troopers involved in the incident was stalking him and held a grudge.

District Attorney Matt Fogal gave an impassioned plea to Judge Angela Krom that Woodal be imprisoned for even longer than he ultimately received.

Fogal pointed out Woodal’s willingness to blame others and refusal to take responsibility. 

More than that, he emphasized just how different the situation could have been, had a trooper actually died.

“The psyche of this community would have been wildly impacted,” Fogal said. He asked Krom to consider what might have happened to a grieving family and community, the funeral procession, and the loss that would have been felt by law enforcement all over the region.

“We’re very thankful this didn’t end the way the defendant intended it to,” Fogal said.

Fogal said he wanted the sentence to be a deterrent to anyone considering acting in a way Woodal did.

Christopher spoke briefly, reminding the court that while he was hurt and suffered permanent damage, the shooting was not about him.

“This attack was on law enforcement as a whole,” Christopher said, and asked Krom to take into account Woodal’s disregard for their lives. 

Krom said in determining the sentence, she knew she had to sentence Woodal within the limits of the law, though many arguments were emotional.

Looking at Woodal’s arguments that put blame on others in the situation showed Woodal’s lack of remorse and responsibility toward the shooting.

As Woodal appareantly rolled his eyes at Krom, she told him “I don’t think you should roll your eyes at me, Mr. Woodal.”

Krom pointed to the video seen during trial, that showed the shooting and the how Woodal pointed his gun at troopers, re-loaded, and positioned himself to remain in a gunfight after the first shots were fired.

“I am left wondering why you would take the actions you took that day,” Krom said.

Looking to the supporters around the courtroom, Krom said they were there to show support for the troopers who “skillfully, professionally and bravely responded to the incident that brings us here today.”

Krom said it is only because of their training and experience that they were there for attempted murder, and not something much worse.

Woodal began muttering toward the end of the hearing, saying things implying he felt it was wrong the jury convicted him while he shot from his own property.

“You should probably stop talking now,” Krom told him.

Woodal was ordered to pay $26,385.63 in restitution related to Christopher’s injury.

This story comes to us through a partnership between WITF and The Chambersburg Public Opinion

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