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Suffolk DA charges Yaphank man in girlfriend’s May murder

Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney says Willie Hart, a trucker, choked Candice Woodruff to death in the back of his tractor-trailer before calling police and claiming he found her unresponsive.

News 12 Staff

Oct 16, 2023, 12:32 PM

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The Suffolk County district attorney is charging a Yaphank man with his girlfriend’s murder.

Candice Woodruff’s body was found outside a Patchogue motel in May. Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney says Willie Hart, a trucker, choked Woodruff to death in the back of his tractor-trailer before calling police and claiming he found her unresponsive.

The district attorney says that the couple got into an argument at the Shore Motor Inn and that Hart told police that Woodruff had accused him of cheating.

Hart is being held without bail.

He is due back in court in November.

If convicted, Hart faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

MORE COVERAGE: Yaphank man surrenders, faces murder charge in girlfriend's suffocation death

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