Man found guilty of murdering girlfriend in truck cab near Long Island motel.

A Long Island truck driver was convicted of second-degree murder following the death of his girlfriend inside the cab of his truck at a Patchogue motel, as announced by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Willie Hart, 61, a resident of Yaphank, was found guilty in connection with the May 2023 death of 37-year-old Candace Woodruff, who hailed from Texas.

On the early morning of May 29, 2023, Hart contacted law enforcement authorities, reporting that he discovered Woodruff unresponsive on the floor of his tractor cab, which was parked outside the Shore Motor Inn in Patchogue. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found Woodruff unresponsive and not breathing, and they noted that Hart had visible injuries, including scratches on his face that were actively bleeding, according to prosecutors.

Emergency responders identified various injuries on Woodruff, including abrasions to her face and neck, soft tissue hemorrhaging, contusions to the head and neck, and minor bruises on her extremities. She was promptly transported to Long Island Community Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. A medical examination concluded that her death was due to asphyxia caused by neck compression.

Prosecutors highlighted evidence from security camera footage, which revealed a struggle between the two individuals inside the truck cab. The video captured Woodruff leaving her motel room and entering the truck around 1:30 a.m. Hart was seen exiting the motel about nine minutes later and entering the cab. They remained inside the truck for approximately 35 minutes before Hart was seen emerging and walking back to the motel in a disheveled appearance. Investigators later found a necklace that Hart had previously worn on the cab floor, raising further suspicions about the circumstances of Woodruff’s death.

Hart pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in October 2023 and was ordered to be held without bail. The jury’s recent verdict, which found him guilty of murder, concluded a public trial characterized by significant evidence and witness testimonies. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney remarked on the defendant’s “cowardly” actions and expressed relief that justice was served. He encouraged anyone in a violent relationship to seek help by contacting 911 or the Suffolk County S.T.O.P. Violence Against Women Program.

Hart is scheduled to face sentencing on December 3, with a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. The case has raised awareness about the issues of domestic violence and the critical need for intervention.