Man convicted of murder in Richmond resident’s shooting death

MARTINEZ — A 52-year-old man was convicted of first degree murder in the 2022 shooting death of a Richmond resident, court records show.

Kendrick Woods was convicted of murder and use of a firearm in the April 6, 2022 killing of 60-year-old Melvin Stewart. Police say Woods taunted Stewart before pulling the trigger but the exact motive is unknown.

Woods argued at trial that police got the wrong guy. He is awaiting sentencing in late March, records show.

Stewart was shot and killed around 7:30 p.m. on April 6, on the 500 block of South 12th Street. He was struck multiple times inside a vehicle and died before police got there, authorities said.

Woods was arrested roughly two months after the murder, in Arkansas.