Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of murder. Reader discretion is advised.
ABC 20/20 episode “Night Terror” will revisit the murders of Dennis and Norma Woodruff and the conviction of their son, Brandon Dale Woodruff. The upcoming episode will air on the network this Friday, August 9, 2024, at 9 p.m. ET. Brandon, whose capital murder conviction landed him in prison for life, gives his first interview in the episode. He claims he is “innocent” and that he “did not kill my parents at all.”
Reportedly, Dennis and Norma Woodruff died of gunshot and stab wounds in their Royse City, Texas, home in October 2005. Authorities revealed that the killer shot Norma multiple times and also slashed her throat. The perpetrator had also shot and stabbed Dennis. The incident occurred in the living room, but there were no signs of a break-in. Moreover, whoever committed the crime did not take anything from the scene and washed up in a bathroom.
An investigation found that Dennis and Norma’s son, Brandon Dale Woodruff, was likely the last person who saw them alive. Investigators eventually arrested Brandon based on incriminating evidence they found against him, including DNA.
Who killed Dennis & Norma Woodruff?
While investigating Dennis and Norma Woodruff’s murder, detectives found evidence that they believed linked their son to the crime. Brandon Dale Woodruff, then 19, became a suspect after authorities learned he was the last person to see the victims alive, per ABC News. Additionally, they found that Brandon, who went to Abilene Christian University, had a secret life. The investigation revealed he went dancing at gay clubs, was dating men, and played roles in adult films.
The outlet stated that Brandon Dale Woodruff had a girlfriend whose mother contacted the police, making a shocking revelation. The girlfriend’s mother, Michelle Lee, filed a report, claiming a gun and bullets were missing from her house. Lee also added that around the time of Dennis and Norma Woodruff’s murder, their son had been living in her house. Investigators then tested the bullets from the crime scene and the ones from Michelle Lee’s home and confirmed they were a match. However, they couldn’t find the gun.
Despite Brandon Woodruff denying he never stole the gun, authorities arrested him. He soon faced capital murder charges. Later, in June 2008, someone from his family discovered a dagger in the Woodruff family’s former home in Heath, Texas. The discovery was made in the house’s barn, and one of Brandon’s ex-roommates from college claimed to have seen the same dagger in his room. However, detectives could never successfully link the said dagger to the murders.
In 2009, the case went to trial, and jurors, eight of whom believed homosexuality was immoral, found him guilty. During the proceedings, the prosecution constantly used Brandon Dale Woodruff’s sexuality to paint his character. The conviction came despite a lack of a murder weapon, physical evidence, eyewitnesses, and even the exact time of Dennis and Norma Woodruff’s deaths.
Over the years, Brandon’s case has garnered an assembly of supporters who believe he was a victim of biased judgment. ABC News interviewed several jurors from the case who maintained they did base their guilty verdict on the accused’s sexuality. Nonetheless, these supporters have started a movement to free him from prison. Now, the Innocence Project of Texas has taken up the case, and the organization continues to work on his exoneration.
Innocence Project of Texas’ deputy director, Allison Clayton, stated that the case timeline doesn’t make sense. Clayton added that the prosecution relied on the claim that Brandon Dale Woodruff’s whereabouts were unaccounted for during Dennis and Norma Woodruff’s murders. However, she points to Brandon’s phone records, which detectives unearthed during the investigation. Reportedly, these records cut short the accused’s window of opportunity, and Clayton remarks that the timeline does not make sense.
Another key piece of evidence the organization is looking into is DNA from the hair found in Norma Woodruff’s hands. Allison Clayton said, “Police found a clump of longer blonde hairs” in the victim’s hand. She added, “Now, that would normally be an indicator that she had somehow grabbed her attacker and that she pulled his or her hair.” Clayton claims, “Law enforcement never tested that hair.” She reveals that the Innocence Project is fighting “to figure out who has that hair because we want it tested.”
Meanwhile, Brandon Dale Woodruff maintains innocence in the murders of his parents, Dennis and Norma Woodruff. ABC 20/20’s Night Terror will comprise a prison interview with the inmate. The episode airs on the network this Friday, August 9.
