Shot pastor wants less time for gunman

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A pastor who was shot in the head a year ago says he does not want the man who shot him to serve the 20-year maximum sentence he was given.

Jaylen Woods, 19, pleaded guilty to charges related to the shooting injury of MarShon Peoples last year.

Peoples, a pastor and youth minister, was hosting an event at the Streams of Hope Ministry building in Gaines Township when he was shot after confronting a group of teens in the parking lot that wanted to get inside.

"You have to listen to his story...to find out why he made the choices he made," said Peoples.

Part of the plan to have Woods released has already started. Peoples said he has contacted the judge who sentenced Woods, as well as the Kent County Prosecutor's Office to discuss the possibility of a reduced term.

"(Judge James Redford) has the power to reduce that sentence," said Peoples. "He knows that I forgave him."

Peoples said Redford told him any consideration of a reduced sentence would only come after Woods develops a good track record while incarcerated.

"He said it's up to Mr. Woods," Peoples said of his conversation with Redford. "He will definitely work with us on that."

But police have a different perspective, said one detective who has worked on cases involving Woods. Letting him out early would be a bad move, the detective said.

"There's a whole 'nother aspect of this," said the detective who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak about the situation. "This kid was responsible for many other shootings."
 
The detective described Woods as a "leader" in gang activity who intimidated others. He said he would like to see him serve more time than the sentence he was given.
 
"He was basically given a deal," the detective said. "He's gonna do his time and he needs to."Ultimately, Peoples said he would like to work side-by-side with the teen who nearly killed him, and deliver a unique and powerful message about street life and violence.

"That would be the ultimate Christian story," said Peoples. "I plan on that happening."

Peoples acknowledged Woods should be punished for his actions but said the possibility of 20 years, much of which was added to Woods' sentence because of his gang affiliation, is too much.

"He has a little girl to think about," said Peoples. "I don't think that would be beneficial to him nor his family."

In order for Peoples to make his dreams for Woods a reality, he said it will mean visiting him in prison and getting to know him.

"It's only feasible with a relationship," Peoples said. "It's me getting well enough to make it out to the prison more often."

"It's going to take a lot of listening, a lot of conversation, and time. And that's something (Woods) has."

In spite of his criminal history and gang involvement, Peoples said he believes Woods was a good kid who made poor choices.

"I've talked with his mom and his dad. They're good people," Peoples said. "He actually had good grades in school."

The bullet that nearly killed Peoples was within millimeters of ending his life. He still suffers residual symptoms that include migraine headaches, memory loss and dizzy spells.

Peoples has returned to ministry and uses the bullet that doctors removed from his head to punctuate his message to troubled youth.

Before the night he was shot, Peoples said he didn't know the gunman or the group of people that approached with him -- people he said were intent on doing harm to someone inside the gathering that night because of a long-time, gang-related beef.

Now, Peoples said he hopes that changes as he has forgiven Woods, accepted his apology, and has high hopes for his future.

"I truly want to help him," Peoples said.