EXCLUSIVE: Former Savannah Police homicide detective takes plea deal, avoids trial

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A WTOC exclusive update in the case of a former Savannah police detective-- pleading guilty today to 8 separate felonies-- involving perjury and violation of oath by a public officer.

The charges relate to her investigation into a murder case in Savannah from 2021, and since then, multiple other cases have been dropped.

Wood will serve 15 years of probation, with credit for time already served, under the following conditions:

• Relinquish POST certification and can no longer serve as an officer in Georgia
• Report to community supervision as instructed
• No alcohol or drugs

The maximum sentence Wood could have received was 60 years confinement. She received first offender status.

If all conditions are satisfied, there will be no record of conviction. However, the court could revoke her first offender status if a violation occurs and sentence her to the maximum sentence allowable by law.

The former detective, Ashley Wood, showed little reaction in court, remaining mostly stoic in front of the judge. She was joined by several supporters who attended the hearing.

Meanwhile, Chatham County Superior Court Judge Timothy Walmsley expressed concern over the breach of public trust towards the end of the hearing.

“Candidly, you have appeared before me as a police officer. And the fact that we are now going through this is terribly disappointing. But I’m not going to let my disappointment or anger associated with that affect this sentence, ultimately, in what has been negotiated with the state,” said Judge Walmsley.

Background

Wood became the subject of an internal SPD investigation tied to a 2021 murder case involving Charles Vinson.

Wood is accused of making false statements when obtaining arrest warrants against suspects in multiple murder cases.

SPD determined Wood had violated department policies and ethical standards and fired her in July 2023.

Wood appealed her termination through the Savannah Civil Service Board, which ruled in her favor. Wood was reinstated but demoted to a civilian city position.

The decision created public and administrative controversy, as it reversed her termination but removed her from law enforcement duties.

In September 2023, Marquis Parrish filed a federal lawsuit against Wood and the City of Savannah, alleging his constitutional rights were violated after he spent nearly two years behind bars before having murder charges dropped when Wood came under investigation.

The lawsuit centered on claims tied directly to Wood’s conduct in the murder case.

A grand jury indicted Wood on multiple felony charges, including perjury and violation of oath by a public officer.

Wood was booked into jail and initially pleaded not guilty in September 2024 before changing her plea Monday.

“By holding that position [of police officer], you are held in a position of trust. These charges stem directly from a violation of that trust,” Superior Court Judge Timothy Walmsley said. “What this does, in my mind...it protects the community. It sends a very clear message to you that what occurred in this court...is simply unacceptable. But it also gives you the opportunity, just like any other defendant that comes into this court who is entitled to first offender, to get past this and learn something from it. And I do hope that that’s going to occur.”

Former Savannah Police detectives Ashley Wood and Darryl Repress have both now taken plea deals in similar cases.

Between them, at least 6 murder cases in Chatham County were dropped.

Repress pleaded guilty in August of 2025 to perjury, violation of oath by a public officer, and making a false statement.

Under his plea agreement, Repress will serve 10 years of probation and is barred from working as a police officer. He was also granted first offender status.