Riverhead, N.Y. – A Yaphank truck driver was sentenced Wednesday to 22 years to life in prison for killing his girlfriend inside the cab of his tractor-trailer outside a Patchogue motel.
Willie Hart, 61, was convicted in October of murdering 37-year-old Candace Woodruff after a jury found him guilty of second-degree murder.
The sentence was handed down in Suffolk County Court by Justice Richard Ambro following an emotional victim impact statement from Woodruff’s mother.
According to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney, Hart strangled Woodruff in the early morning hours of May 29, 2023, inside his truck, which was parked near the Shore Motor Inn in Patchogue.
Investigators said Hart called 911 at about 2:25 a.m., claiming he found Woodruff unresponsive.
Surveillance captured deadly struggle
When police arrived, they found Woodruff on the ground in front of the truck, not breathing. Officers noticed fresh scratches on Hart’s face, which were still bleeding.
An autopsy by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death as asphyxia due to neck compression. Surveillance footage showed Woodruff leaving her motel room shortly after 1:25 a.m. with several bags and entering Hart’s tractor cab.
Minutes later, Hart followed her inside. Video captured a struggle lasting roughly 35 minutes before Hart exited the truck, touched his injured face, and walked back to the motel. He retrieved a bag, placed it in a car, and returned to the cab before calling 911.
Evidence revealed violent confrontation
Police later found the truck’s interior covered in Ramen rice—matching food recovered from Woodruff’s mouth—along with jewelry belonging to both Hart and the victim.
Prosecutors said the evidence showed clear signs of a violent altercation.
Hart was represented by attorneys John Halverson and Tara LaTerza at trial.
District Attorney Tierney said the sentence reflected the severe loss suffered by Woodruff’s family and the enduring harm caused by the crime.
Woodruff was pronounced dead at Long Island Community Hospital.
Hart will serve a minimum of 22 years before being eligible for parole.