Former ACU Student's Trial to Begin
By: Austin Kellerman
Updated: March 4, 2009
The capital murder trial of a former Abilene Christian University student accused of killing his parents begins soon. Jury selection is currently taking place at the Hunt County Courthouse near the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Opening statements are expected to take place Thursday morning.
Authorities arrested 22-year-old Brandon Woodruff in October 2005 after someone discovered Dennis and Norma Woodruff dead in their Royse City home.
According to the Rockwall Herald Banner, State District Judge Richard Beacom has issued a gag order that precludes attorneys and witnesses from commenting on the case.
The State Attorney General’s office is handling the prosecution of this case. The Hunt County district attorney’s office was removed following the controversial taping of jailhouse phone calls between Woodruff and his attorneys. Before a decision could me made, the Hunt County D.A. asked to be removed from the case and the state stepped in.
Woodruff is a graduated of Rockwall High who was enrolled at Abilene Christian University at the time of the killings.
According to an autopsy, the couple died of bullet and stab wounds in their necks. Detectives believe there was no forced entry into the home. It doesn’t appear anything was stolen from the home.
Prosecutors have waived the death penalty, so a conviction would mean a life sentence.
