Three plead guilty in Walker reservation murder

Two men and a woman have pleaded guilty in the June 2001 murder of Gerald Williams on the Walker River Indian Reservation.

The pleas were entered in Reno federal district court, which has jurisdiction over felonies committed on reservation lands.

Eugene Michael Wood, 29, of Shurz pleaded guilty to second degree murder and Darla Rae Wood, 40, of Shurz to false statements in the case. James Luis Plaza Jr., 26, of Shurz pleaded guilty as an accessory after the fact in the killing.

U.S. Attorney for Nevada Daniel Bogden said court records show Darla Wood drove Eugene Wood and Plaza to Williams' house on the reservation. While she waited outside, Wood and Plaza entered the house and Wood killed the victim with a .22-caliber pistol.

Plaza was charged as an accessory for helping to dispose of the firearm and covering for them in statements to law enforcement officials.

Sentencing in the case is set for Jan. 6 for Eugene Wood, who faces a maximum life sentence. She will face a maximum five-year sentence when sentenced Jan. 13.

Plaza could receive up to 15 years when sentenced March 10.