Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of murder. Reader discretion is advised.
ABC 20/20‘s “Night Terror” episode will now reexamine Brandon Dale Woodruff’s conviction in the 2005 murders of his parents. Authorities believed he killed his parents, Dennis and Norma Woodruff, because of his secret homosexual life. Brandon, who is serving life in prison, maintains innocence and has agreed to interview with 20/20 for their segment on the case. The episode will re-air on the network this Friday, August 9, 2024, at 9 p.m. ET.
Where is Brandon Dale Woodruff now?
Brandon Dale Woodruff is now serving a life sentence without parole in the Michael Unit, per the Texas Department of Corrections. The case has garnered significant media attention over the years, and Brandon continues to maintain innocence in Dennis and Norma Woodruff’s murders. ABC News reported that his supporters have started a movement to get him free from imprisonment. Claims have surfaced that his 2009 trial was biased since eight out of the 12 jurors who found him guilty believed homosexuality was immoral.
The Innocence Project of Texas has taken up Brandon Dale Woodruff’s case with the aim of exoneration. Brandon’s conviction came despite a lack of a murder weapon, physical evidence, and the victims’ exact time of death. Moreover, there were no eyewitnesses in the case. The organization’s deputy director, Allison Clayton, claims the timeline of the case around which prosecutors based their entire case doesn’t make sense to her.
Allison Clayton stated that prosecutors claimed Brandon Woodruff’s whereabouts were unaccounted for during the murders. However, according to Brandon’s phone records, this does not justify a window of opportunity. Clayton said, “Brandon kills his parents in, what? the most, 19 minutes? He has to act fast or he is taking calls during the course of committing these murders. That’s the only way the timeline makes sense, that he does something to one of his parents, and then takes a call and chats with [a friend] like nothing’s wrong,” she added.
Then, there was a lack of physical evidence against Brandon Dale Woodruff. The organization claims it is looking into potential DNA evidence from long, blonde hair authorities found in Norma Woodruff’s hands. Allison Clayton revealed, “Law enforcement never tested that hair.” She claims they are not trying “to figure out who has that hair because we want it tested.”
Brandon Dale Woodruff remains in prison now while the Innocence Project of Texas investigates his innocence claims. ABC 20/20’s Night Terror will bring viewers face-to-face with Brandon in a prison interview. The episode premieres on the network this Friday, August 9.
