ARIZONA NEWS

Convicted killer sentenced to death in 2014 Glendale murder case

Feb 29, 2024, 9:05 AM

Gustin Ray Woodman, seen in an undated Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentr...

Gustin Ray Woodman, seen in an undated booking photo, was sentenced to death in a 2014 murder case. (Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry Photo)

(Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry Photo)

PHOENIX – A defendant convicted of fatally shooting a 72-year-old man in Glendale 10 years ago was sentenced to death this week, authorities announced Thursday.

A jury imposed the death penalty on 34-year-old Gustin Ray Woodman Jr. for the June 24, 2014, murder of Mark Woodruff, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors say Woodruff was on his way home from an overnight shift as a church janitor when Woodman saw him at gas station and followed him with the intent of robbing him.

Woodruff was found dead, with a gunshot wound to his head, in a vehicle outside his home near 43rd and Maryland Avenues. Detectives located a 9MM shell casing near the victim.

During a traffic stop on Woodman two days later, officers found a 9MM handgun with a shell casing stuck in the chamber. The Glendale Police Department Forensic Unit later determined that the casing in the gun was associated with the one found at the murder scene.

Woodman reportedly was arrested for allegedly robbing a man the parking lot of a Berks County, Pennsylvania, Walmart in September 2014 before being extradited to Arizona.

What were the charges against Gustin Woodman?

In October 2023, a jury found Woodman guilty on the following felony counts: first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit armed robbery with a deadly weapon, armed robbery with a deadly weapon and possession of a weapon by a prohibited person.

He received the death penalty for the murder charge and a sentence of 15.75 years in prison for the other offenses.

“I commend our prosecutors and the Glendale Police Department Homicide Unit for their work over the last ten years finding justice for this victim,” County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a press release Thursday. “I hope this sentence can bring some semblance of closure to the Woodruff family and the community of faith he loved so much.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona News

What happened before man found dead by suicide in Mesa?...

Serena O'Sullivan

Suspect in fatal shooting found dead by apparent suicide in Mesa, police say

A Mesa man accused of fatally shooting a man in his 30s in a domestic violence incident on Tuesday was found dead by suicide, police said.

32 minutes ago

Karrin Taylor Robson...

Kevin Stone

Karrin Taylor Robson announces 2nd run for governor of Arizona

Karrin Taylor Robson, who unsuccessfully ran for governor of Arizona in 2022, announced Wednesday she is running again in 2026.

2 hours ago

Phoenix police officers shot and killed a suspect near Williams Field and and Higley roads in Gilbe...

KTAR.com

Man killed, woman wounded in overnight shooting involving Phoenix police officers in Gilbert

A man was killed and a woman was injured in an overnight shooting involving Phoenix Police Department officers in Gilbert, authorities said Wednesday.

3 hours ago

A Scottsdale estate with a Jordan shoe display and a full basketball gym was listed for $23.5 milli...

Kevin Stone

Furnished Scottsdale estate with basketball gym, Jordan sneaker display listed for $23.5M

A basketball lover’s dream home is on the market in north Scottsdale, but you better have plenty of space under your salary cap if you want to buy it.

5 hours ago

Uranium mining...

Kevin Stone

Arizona GOP leader wants Trump administration to remove uranium mining restrictions

Arizona's Republican Senate president is hoping the Trump administration will undo actions by former presidents that curtail uranium mining in the state.

5 hours ago

Follow @kstonezone...

Sponsored Content by Bright Wealth Management

How updating your estate plan is crucial in saving money

As you map out your estate plan, mapping out beneficiaries and keeping it up to date is key in order for the most funds possible to be passed down with ease.

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Your go-to plumbing experts in Arizona

Collins Comfort Masters, a trusted name in HVAC, water and plumbing since 1985, is you go-to plumbers for the residents of Phoenix and the Valley.

...

The UPS Store

How The UPS Store is giving back to the community

PHOENIX -- As 2024 nears a close, The UPS Store is looking to give back to the Arizona community with the holiday season approaching.

...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford’s Operation Santa Claus: Spreading holiday cheer through pickleball

Phoenix, AZ – Sanderson Ford, a staple in the Arizona community, is once again gearing up for its annual Operation Santa Claus charity drive.

Convicted killer sentenced to death in 2014 Glendale murder case