Trial For Killings Of Two Men In Bristol Twp. Begins

The trial relating to the death of two men killed in Bristol Township’s Winder Village community last spring began Wednesday at the Justice Center in Doylestown Borough.

Prosecutors and the defense teams for Joseph Williams, 18, of Bristol Township, who is charged with two counts of homicide and related offenses, and Gary Goddard, 49, of Croydon, who is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault and related crimes, made their opening statements.

Prosecutors said Williams fired the shots that hit Zyisean “Ziggy” McDuffie, 19, and Tommy Ballard, 19, outside a home in the 900 block Elmhurst Avenue on the evening of Friday, May 4.

The shooting reportedly stemmed from an ongoing, years-long feud, a fact that came out during the preliminary hearing. Sources in the Winder Village neighborhood have told LevittownNow.com that the shooting boiled over after tension between the two groups.

The shooting happened the same evening as many teenagers in Winder Village were outside with their families taking photos before attending the junior prom at Harry S. Truman High School.

McDuffie was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Jefferson Torresdale Hospital. He suffered five gunshot wounds and bled out after a bullet nicked an artery near his kidney. Ballard was shot twice and ended up passing away from a wound to his liver and kidney not long after being taken to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital.

Williams and other teens fled the scene after the shooting, leading to his capture a short time after and the recovery of the .38 caliber revolver used to kill the two men. Goddard fled to New York City with his son. A second gun involved in the shooting was located in Goddard’s home, prosecutors said.

Goddard’s defense attorney has claimed his client fired back in self-defense, and William’s attorney has raised doubt over the circumstances and evidence.

The trial is expected to feature a number of witnesses, including those who reportedly saw the shooting take place and possibly even Goddard.

On Monday, prosecutors played a heartbreaking 20-minute dashcam video that showed the aftermath of a 2018 shooting. The video with audio was from Officer Michael Sarcewicz’s patrol car.

Sarcewicz was first to arrive at the shooting scene and checked on McDuffie, who was not moving. Ballard, he testified, was leaning over and talking at first.

The officer said he began CPR on McDuffie.

“I’m right here. Open your eyes. Look at me!” a bystander yelled as Sarcewicz worked to save McDuffie.

“Keep breathing, Zig!” another yelled.

“Fight for your life … on the name of Jesus.”

Medics rushed to the area and took both men to the hospital, but they were pronounced dead shortly after arriving.

The video was too much for some friends and family of the two men who were killed. Throughout it being played, tissues were passed, muffled cries were heard from the benches in the courtroom, and several distraught people walked out.

Williams and Goddard both appeared to watch the video as it was played on the screen.

Prosecutors showed the jury the dirt and blood-stained clothes worn by Ballard and McDuffie. The mens’ shirts were cut by medics as they began efforts to save their lives and even had holes from the bullets that ripped into their bodies.

Williams, then 14, and his mother received national attention in 2013 when it was alleged Tullytown police assaulted the boy following a traffic stop relating to an incident at Walmart. The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and the FBI cleared Tullytown police of wrongdoing.

The trial is expected to last more than a week.