The Shadow of Doubt: A Death Row Inmate’s Plea of Innocence in the "Desert Killer" Case
For nearly four decades, David Leonard Wood has resided on death row in Texas, branded by the state as the "Desert Killer." He stands convicted of the brutal murders of six women and girls in El Paso during the late 1980s. Yet, amidst the grim reality of his impending execution date, Wood maintains his unwavering claim of innocence.
In an exclusive interview with USA Today’s death penalty reporter, Amanda Lee Myers, Wood vehemently asserts that his conviction was a result of a flawed investigation marred by mishandled crime scenes, reliance on circumstantial evidence, and perjured testimony. With his execution looming on March 13th, the urgency to re-examine the case and consider the possibility of a wrongful conviction intensifies.
The Excerpt podcast delves into this complex case, featuring excerpts from Myers’ interview with Wood and her insights on his claims of innocence. The podcast sheds light on the lingering doubts surrounding the conviction and the potential for a grave miscarriage of justice.
Dana Taylor, the host of The Excerpt, introduces the gravity of the situation: "What if he’s really an innocent man?" This question sets the stage for a deep dive into the intricacies of the case and the arguments presented by Wood and his legal team.
Myers provides background on Wood, describing him as a "problem child" who grew up in El Paso. His troubled past includes convictions for indecency with a 12-year-old girl and the rapes of a 13-year-old girl and a 19-year-old woman. While Wood admits to the indecency with the 12 and 13 year old, he denies raping either girl. He served time in prison for these crimes and was paroled in January 1987, just a month before the Desert Killer victims began disappearing.
Wood’s attorneys acknowledge that this timeline raised suspicion among investigators. However, they argue that the timing is purely coincidental and that law enforcement officials were quick to focus on Wood without thoroughly exploring other potential suspects.
The victims of the Desert Killer were Dawn Marie Smith, Desiree Wheatley, Angelica Frausto, Ivy Susanna Williams, Rosa Maria Casio, and Karen Baker. These women and girls came from diverse backgrounds, but their lives were tragically cut short. While some were involved in risky behaviors, their families insist that they were more than just victims of circumstance.
Wood vehemently denies knowing any of the victims, despite claims that he was seen with some of them prior to their murders. He criticizes the investigation, alleging that police botched crime scenes by failing to properly secure them, allowing public access for days, and potentially compromising evidence.
Wood specifically points to the discovery of microscopic orange fibers at the Wheatley crime scene. He questions how a K-9 officer could have "eyeballed" such tiny fibers after the initial search had already taken place. He further claims that the fibers were later linked to a vacuum cleaner from his house, implying that the evidence was planted.
Myers clarifies that she reached out to the El Paso Police Department for comment but received no response. She also acknowledges that the investigation took place nearly 40 years ago, making it difficult to find detectives who worked on the case.
Wood asserts that he was hostile and violent during his initial questioning, which he believes further fueled the police’s suspicion of him. He accuses law enforcement of manipulating evidence and coercing witnesses to lie about him. He denies ever confessing to the crimes and claims that he has always maintained his innocence.
Wood highlights the lack of DNA evidence linking him to the murders. He points out that only a few items were tested, and the results were either inconclusive or excluded him as a possible contributor. In one instance, blood found on a victim’s clothing was determined to be male but could not have been Wood’s.
Myers emphasizes the significance of this DNA evidence, stating that it is "a pretty powerful statement" in support of Wood’s claim of innocence. She acknowledges that she cannot definitively say whether Wood is telling the truth, but the lack of concrete evidence raises serious questions about the validity of his conviction.
Despite his anger and frustration, Wood says he has found solace in his faith in God and believes that he will go to Heaven when he is executed. He expresses remorse for his past crimes but insists that he is innocent of the Desert Killer murders.
One of the victims’ family members, the sister of one of the deceased women, has publicly stated that she does not believe Wood was the actual killer. While she suspects his involvement in the planning of the crime, she believes someone else carried out the act. Other victims’ families, however, remain convinced of Wood’s guilt and plan to attend his execution.
Wood’s legal team is currently pursuing an appeal in the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, seeking further DNA testing. The court has previously denied such requests, but there remains a chance that they could grant a stay of execution and order additional testing. If the Texas court denies his appeal, Wood could appeal to the Supreme Court or seek intervention from Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
The case of David Leonard Wood presents a troubling scenario, where a man faces execution despite a lack of definitive evidence linking him to the crimes. The allegations of mishandled evidence and coerced testimony raise serious concerns about the fairness of the legal process. With time running out, the question of whether an innocent man could be put to death hangs heavy in the air. The potential for a devastating miscarriage of justice demands a thorough re-examination of the evidence and a commitment to ensuring that the truth prevails.
