Watch CBS News

Long Prison Terms For Pair In Royal Oak Murder

PONTIAC (WWJ) - A 49-year-old man will serve life in prison without parole, convicted of first degree murder in a brutal murder that shocked a Royal Oak community.

Prosecutors said 80-year-old Nancy Dailey was tied to a chair, beaten and stabbed by Alan Wood — who had come to the woman's home with his girlfriend looking for drug money after Dailey had hired the pair to do some yard work.

When it was his turn to speak in court Friday, Wood, clad in an orange jumpsuit, denied everything and asked the judge to dismiss all charges against him.

When she declined, Wood told her to stop preaching and get to his sentencing.

Dailey's niece, Nan Drinkard, forgave Wood in her victim's impact statement, but was shocked but his actions in the courtroom.

dailey-family
Family of murdered Royal Oak woman Nancy Dailey. (credit: Laura Bonnell/WWJ)

"He seems to be an evil person. He's truly the embodiment of evil, and it surprised me that he was so arrogant even toward the judge. At least you should be on your good behavior in the court room,"  Drinkard said.

The girlfriend, 41-year-old Tonia Watson, took a plea bargain with prosecutors in exchange for her testimony against Wood, which prosecutors said, along with DNA evidence, said helped get a conviction.

Watson was sentenced to 23 to 80 years.

Both parole violators, Wood and Watson were arrested in Canton Township two days after Dailey's body was found. Police said they were attempting to use one of Dailey's bank cards at an ATM.

It was a crime that stirred fear and uncertainty in a community where many had felt safe, prompting a call for a "No Knock" list that would prevent strangers from coming to residents' doors.

Wood's attorney, Elias Escobedo, said he believed his client planned to appeal.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.