30 years after allegedly strangling a young female computer engineer, a Silicon Valley tech CEO was arrested as he returned to America because new DNA evidence confirmed his ties to the crime.
Readytech CEO John Kevin Woodward, 58, had fled to Amsterdam in the Netherlands after he had been tried twice for the murder of 25-year-old Laurie Houts in 1992. The trials both resulted in hung juries because forensic technicians could not analyze some of the DNA found at the scene of the murder, including the rope found around Houts’ neck. Woodward’s fingerprints were found on the outside of the vehicle, but no proof could be made that he was inside the vehicle.
“The motive as we understand it is a love triangle,” Mountain View Sergeant David Fisher stated.
Houts, who was arrested when he arrived at JFK International Airport in New York, will be extradited to Mountain View, California to stand trial.
According to law enforcement, Woodward had “an unrequited romantic attachment” to his roommate, who was Houts’ boyfriend.
The alleged murder occurred on September 5, 1992. After Houts’ body was found by a passerby in a car near a garbage dump, it became apparent to police that Houts had struggled with her assailant before her death, as her footprints were found on the inside of the windshield.
Noting her purse still rested intact near the car, police decided that attack had not resulted from a robbery and suspected Woodward in the murder. “He was openly jealous of Ms. Houts, having developed an unrequited romantic attachment to his roommate, her boyfriend. He had no alibi,” police stated.
The police had Houts’ boyfriend wear a wire so they could hear him communicate with Woodward about the crime. Woodward reputedly asked the boyfriend what evidence investigators had.
But at the second trial, the judge said new evidence would have to be found for Woodward to be tried again.
Then, in 2020, the Santa Clara County Crime Lab used new DNA technology and discovered that among 80 fingerprints found in the murder, more fingerprints match Woodward.
“This case is the culmination of incredible determination by our detectives over the decades and with phenomenal teamwork with our agency partners here in Santa Clara County and in New York,” Mountain View police Chief Chris Hsiung asserted. “’I am honored that our agency finally gets to give hope to Laurie’s family that they can see a successful prosecution carried out. It bears repeating – we do not give up on justice for victims, no matter what.”
“Although she was only 5′ tall, she had a huge heart and her humor and spunk were endearing to all,” Houts’ family stated. “’The way Laurie lived and treated people was a stunning example of what was right in the world. She was a gem to so many, but her bright life was taken from us at the age of 25. We are hopeful that justice can finally be served for Laurie and incredibly appreciative of the law enforcement agencies who have never given up on her.”
“It doesn’t really matter what happens because Laurie is not coming back,” her sister Cindy concluded. “We don’t get to win and get our sister back. We get to win and maybe get some justice or some closure.”
Source: Dailywire
