Ex-boyfriend jailed in death of Ohio dancer

NEW YORK (AP) -- The former boyfriend of a slain topless dancer from Ohio was charged with killing her and jailed without bail Friday.
Paul Cortez, 24, pleaded innocent in Manhattan's state Supreme Court to the second-degree murder indictment charging that he killed Catherine Woods, 21, on Nov. 27 in the apartment she shared with boyfriend David Haughn, 23, from her hometown of Columbus.
Assistant District Attorney Peter Casolaro told the court that Cortez made statements to police, but he did not say whether the statements were incriminating. He also said witnesses reported seeing Cortez and Woods together at various times before her death.
Woods, a classically trained and aspiring dancer, came to New York three years ago hoping to be on Broadway. Instead, unknown to her family and friends, she wound up working as a topless dancer with the stage name Ava. That was exposed after her slaying.
Her father, John Woods, is director of the Ohio State University marching band.
Cortez had been declared the prime suspect in Woods' death Tuesday, when prosecutors announced his arrest in the case had been delayed only because New York City's transit strike prevented a grand jury from being seated.
Assistant District Attorney Martha Stolley said then that a bloody fingerprint found at the scene was linked to Cortez.