Former Notre Dame and NFL running back Cierre Wood is facing multiple years in prison for his involvement in the 2019 death of the five-year-old daughter of his then-girlfriend.
Wood previously took a plea deal in April in which he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and child abuse. The 33-year-old was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 10 years for the second-degree murder charge.
Wood will also have to serve between 28 months and six years on the child abuse charge, which must be served consecutively. He’s going away for a while, but the fact Wood can still possibly be granted parole isn’t sitting right with many people.
“Life sentence should never be eligible for parole,” one person said on X/Twitter.
“Life sentence w possible parole after 10 years? Makes no sense,” another person added.
“Dude deserves the death penalty what are we even doing,” a third person said.
“It must have been part of his Alford plea deal. The prosecutors must have worried about their ability to convict. It is disgraceful what he did to this poor girl. His girlfriend is also a piece of work. She pled guilty to second-degree murder,” a fourth person theorized.
“Cierre Wood is why I believe in capital punishment. Regardless that it’s 2nd degree, this monster should not be among us,” another person chimed in.
Wood, a native of California, played for Notre Dame from 2009-12. The Fighting Irish reached the BCS National Championship Game in his senior season.
After leaving South Bend, Wood had stints with four NFL teams and three CFL franchises before his playing days ended in 2018.
Related: Former Notre Dame, NFL Running Back Sentenced To Life In Prison