Long-haul trucker Willie Hart has been sentenced to 22 years to life in prison for the murder of his girlfriend, Candace Woodruff. The sentencing follows a jury conviction in October, according to the Suffolk County Government. District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney stated, “The powerful victim impact statement made in court today by Candace Woodruff’s mother is a painful testament to the irreparable harm the defendant has caused.” Woodruff’s family hopes the sentence will provide some measure of peace.
On May 29, 2023, Hart contacted police from near the Shore Motor Inn in Patchogue to report finding Woodruff unresponsive on the floor of his truck. When officers arrived, they found Woodruff deceased, with injuries indicating a possible struggle. Hart was also found bleeding at the scene and had scratches on his face. The Suffolk County Medical Examiner determined that Woodruff’s cause of death was asphyxia due to neck compression.
During the trial, video surveillance was a key piece of evidence, showing Woodruff entering Hart's tractor cab with bags, followed by Hart minutes later. Approximately 35 minutes later, the surveillance captured a struggle inside the cab. The cabin showed signs of a disturbance, with items such as Ramen rice scattered throughout and some recovered from Woodruff’s mouth.
Following an investigation and trial, Hart was sentenced to 22 years to life in prison. The conviction was issued on October 29, by Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro. Hart was represented by attorneys John Halverson and Tara LaTerza, according to courtroom records. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Eric S. Aboulafia and Sheetal Shetty, with investigative support from Detectives Richard Jones and Michael Ronca.
