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December 10, 2012

Hearing set on DNA evidence in 2005 double murder

GREENVILLE — A court hearing is scheduled this week concerning a 2005 double homicide near Royse City.

Attorneys representing a man convicted of capital murder in the slayings of his parents are asking for a second round of testing on evidence seized from the murder scene.

The hearing has been scheduled Tuesday in the 354th District Court, at which time Judge Richard A. Beacom may decide whether to grant the latest motion filed by appeal attorneys for Brandon Dale Woodruff.

Woodruff is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole after being convicted of capital murder in connection with deaths of his parents, Dennis and Norma Woodruff.

Earlier this year Woodruff’s attorneys sought DNA testing on hairs found in the hand of his mother at the murder scene, claiming the hairs could belong to whomever killed the couple.

But in a second motion seeking DNA testing attorney Gary A. Udashen said, “the hairs in Norma Woodruff’s left hand were tested and shown to belong to her.”

Udashen is now asking for tests on a stain from Norma Woodruff’s shirt.

“Additionally, other hairs were located in Norma Woodruff’s right hand,” Udashen wrote. “Counsel was previously unaware of the existence of this material. If DNA testing is conducted and the results show that this material was not attributable to Brandon Woodruff, this will show he is innocent of this offense.”

Prosecutors had previously argued the testing was never performed on the strands because the hairs likely came from the mother’s head.

Woodruff was found guilty by a jury on March 20, 2009 of capital murder involving the stabbing and shooting deaths of his parents. As the prosecution was not seeking the death penalty, Woodruff received an automatic sentence of life in prison without parole.

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