Bail set at $1 million for accused ‘Nova student killer

Bail was set at $1 million cash for a 21-year-old West Philadelphia man facing multiple charges, including vehicle theft and homicide, in the Bryn Mawr crash that took the life of one Villanova student and left another in critical condition.

Kenneth Woods, 21, who was arrested at 11:05 p.m. Wednesday without incident at his home in the 4000 block of Aspen Street, professed his innocence during and after a preliminary hearing in district court.

"I have no clue what's happening," he said after being advised of his rights in court. Afterward, while being led to a police vehicle, Woods wearing a bright blue Cookie Monster sweatshirt, denied any involvement.

Police said Woods, who was driving with a suspended license, was identified by a palm print found in the stolen Range Rover involved in the crash and a cellphone left in the vehicle.

Woods told reporters he wasn't in the Range Rover, he didn't steal it, and he wasn't the person in a picture found in the cellphone.

The police said he had prior arrests, but would not elaborate.

Philadephia court records show that Woods has three arrests for assault, drug possession and smoking, and has been convicted only of smoking in a prohibited public place.

Shortly after midnight Wednesday, township Police Officer Thomas McDermott spotted a Range Rover matching the description of one reported stolen in Radnor, the driver took off at high speed - an estimated 100 m.p.h. or more. McDermott was able to provide a description of the driver before the vehicle sped away.

About two miles down Haverford Road, past the intersection with Rugby Road, the SUV crashed into the rear of a Volkwagen Jetta, which came to rest upside-down, a crumpled heap.

Killed was Daniel Giletta, 22, a senior engineering major Wyckoff, N.J. His roommate, Frank "Patrick" DiChiara, 22, a junior sociology major from Toms River, N.J., was in critical condition Wednesday night at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

After the Range Rover stopped several hundred yards from the crash, the driver fled on foot.

At the news conference, neither G. Michael Green, the county district attorney, nor township Police Chief Carmine D. Pettine would discuss whether Woods was injured in the crash nor how he got back to his home.

Charges against Woods include third-degree murder, aggravated manslaughter, and receiving stolen property.

He was taken to Haverford Township jail for later transport to Delaware County Prison.

A preliminary hearing was set for 9 a.m. Oct. 7 before District Judge Elisa C. Lacianca in Havertown.