Randall Woodfield: An excerpt from The Serial Killer Letters
The Charles
Press, Publishers
An Excerpt from
The Serial Killer Letters
RANDALL WOODFIELD
BACKGROUND
Randall
Brent Woodfield’s childhood was not filled with horrifying abuse and neglect like so
many of the men I corresponded with. In fact it was just the opposite. He was a cherished
son in a close-knit and supportive family, a star athlete and an accomplished student who
was admired and respected by most of those who knew him. Charming, handsome, brimming with
possibility and promise, Randall Woodfield could have done great things with his life.
Tragically, things didn’t work out that way. He is now a convicted killer who will
spend the rest of his life in prison.
The first sign that there was something wrong with Randall was when he
was caught, at the age of 11, exposing himself to women. He also seemed to have a problem
with anger. Even though his concerned parents sent him to see a therapist, no one seemed
to pick up on the seriousness of his problems, or if they did, they certainly weren’t
able to help him. The "flashing" continued and before long, Woodfield started
committing petty thefts and burglaries.
At Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Oregon, Woodfield
excelled in just about every sport, especially in football. But his problems had not gone
away. He was arrested for breaking into a girlfriend’s house and trashing her
bedroom. (Due to a lack of evidence, a jury found him not guilty and all charges were
dropped.) In 1971, Woodfield transferred to Portland State University where he became a
born-again Christian. He took religion very seriously, but it didn’t seem to
interfere with his need to expose himself to women. He was arrested repeatedly during the
next few years for indecent exposure.
Woodfield’s dream finally came true in 1973 when he was drafted by
the Green Bay Packers. However, once training started, he was cut from the team — a
monumental disappointment that devastated him. Angry and depressed, Woodfield promptly
dropped out of college — just three semesters away from graduation. At age 25, things
didn’t look too bright for Randall. He had no money, no job, no prospects.
In 1975, after being caught red-handed trying to rob a woman at knife
point, Woodfield was sentenced to ten years in Oregon State Prison. Paroled after only
four years, he was back on the streets. The crimes continued, but by now they had
escalated far beyond flashing and petty theft.
In 1981, a spate of rapes and murders began to occur along the long
stretch of Interstate 5 that runs through Oregon and Washington. The killer eluded
frustrated police for a long time, especially because the attacks were occurring in so
many different counties that it was hard for police to coordinate investigations. The
first murders attributed to the "I-5 Killer" were in Keiser, Oregon, in 1981,
when Shari Hull and Lisa Garcia were sexually molested and shot. Shari Hull died, but Lisa
Garcia survived the attack, despite two extremely bloody gunshot wounds to the head. The
next murder was in Redding, California, where 37-year-old Donna Eckard and her 14-year-old
stepdaughter, Janell, were raped and murdered. Two weeks later in Beaverton, Oregon, Julie
Reitz was found shot to death in her home. And there were many more victims that police
suspected had died at the hands of the "I-5 Killer."
In addition to Lisa Garcia, there were other women who lived to give a
description of the man who attacked them: white male, 25 to 30 years old, 6', 175 pounds,
brown hair, short beard and mustache, Band-Aid across the nose, using a small nickel- or
chrome-plated revolver, driving a gold VW. Finally, many victims later, the name Randall
Woodfield popped up while police were investigating the murder of Julie Reitz. Not only
did Woodfield match the description exactly, but subsequent investigations turned up
enough evidence that police were sure they had finally caught the "I-5 Killer."
Randall Woodfield was 30 years old at the time of his arrest. All told,
he was charged with sodomy, attempted kidnapping, robbery, attempted murder and murder. He
pleaded innocent on all charges. In the end, although suspected in as many as 18 murders,
Woodfield was charged and convicted of only two murders. He is now serving a life sentence
plus 157 years, in Oregon State Prison.
Woodfield admits to a history of exhibitionism and robbery, but murder?
"No way!...I’m really innocent of this terrible murder charge." Woodfield
says that the "real" killer is a man named Larry Moore. Woodfield also believes
that he is an innocent victim of a legal conspiracy. "Something [about my case]
stinks of corruption by a resigned D.A., a demoted lead detective and a judge [who
retired] soon after my case."
Woodfield didn’t seem to hate women — that is, with the
exception of true-crime author Ann Rule, who he unsuccessfully attempted to sue for libel
for her book about him, The I-5 Killer. He wanted to make sure that I
thought Ann Rule was all wrong in her estimation of him and it was clear he had read her
book carefully. "You think Ann Rule lied about me having ‘shark’ eyes?
Maybe I just looked a little scared or depressed in my bogus trial for murder? Ya
think?" He also denies her accusation that he has small hands, herpes and a low I.Q.
Of all my correspondents, no one was more eager than Randall to get me to visit. When I
finally did visit him, he was every bit as handsome as everyone says he is (he is gorgeous
— and he knows it). He was also extremely convincing in his pleas of innocence. He
even cried. I must confess that I had a hard time not believing him. He later
wrote: "So you see Jenny, I may not be an angel, but I’m definitely not a
killer, or rapist of women! I have confessed and repented my sins, crimes, etc. But I will
fight ‘til my dying day to show the conspiracy to convict me for murder, and that I
was robbing people.... I never harmed people." If Randall Woodfield is telling the
truth that he’s innocent, then a terrible injustice has certainly occurred. If
he’s guilty, you just have to wonder how such a promising young man could have turned
into a maniacal rapist and killer.
Inscribed
by Woodfield on the back:
"My two wonderful sisters and yours
truly, circa, 1956."
Randall Woodfield in 1981
as he was booked into the Marion County Jail.
(Below
are a couple of letters written by Randall Woodfield to Jennifer Furio that
are included in The
Serial Killer Letters)
Hello Again;
Okay, truce it is. I really wasn't upset or angry, it just came across as such. Im
always very defensive, and it is natural in this "Walled City". So chill &
accept my apologee. I was just preturbed about going behind my back to Timothy [Aikens, a
fellow inmate], and you never answered my questions or cared to share any pics.
too. Can we even talk?
Give me a some credit please. I did share a lot with you. But are you
really
interested in the corrupt, frame-up case for murder? You became upset with my first reply,
you didn't even ask about it? So what's up with that?
Tim showed me your letter, and it sounds like you've written to me earlier? No letters
reached me. So I just "ASSUME".
At least you acknowledge Im not a "weak" person — thank you. But will I
ever really know who you are?
Im sorry you expected more in my response. You have no idea how much abuse and
ridicule I get from fiction-writers. And the sad part is my Civil Lawsuit was not accepted
after 2 yrs. What discrimination we have in our so-called "Justice" (Just-Us)
system!
Now, to relieve your fears, Im not having any investigator follow you. But will that be
the ONLY way I will get to see who you are? Just curious is all.
And no comments about the pics. I sent you? No questions about anything? Just an angry
response Jen?
I apologize for the wise-cracks. I was just wondering why you wrote Tim & didn't
say why or even answer me. Care to explain?
Cute phrase you used…"Mickey flipping me off". What does it mean
exactly? See, Im not that smart after all. (Smile)
Can we now communicate both ways now? You answering my questions too? You know about
"Quid Pro Quo" right? I did help Tim with that one. So are we on now or what?
I'd just like to feel more at ease with you —— a total stranger picking my
brains here. Ha! I see ya smiling…
Lets start over here and dont be so reactionary and I wont either. And how about pen
& paper letters now and then just to be more personal. May I have a photo of you
please? No stalking, following you ever!
My word is my bond too —
"Ciao"
Randall
Dear Ms Frio;
Okay — Truce. We are both right, and we need to find a middle ground. Im not angry
with you, just disappointed in your style, or possibly "hidden agenda".
Whatever. I will never really know. And you will just use me for your own purposes.
Ive shared a lot with you, now its up to you to "ASK" the right questions.
And to be open-minded as well. You make statements like…"All the inspectors and
courts disagree", etc. Not so Jenny. Read the police report first filed by Det.
Kominek, lead "Dick" who hypnotized the victim-witness, who helped police draw
the composite drawing of "I-5 Killer" suspect!! Go figure.…
Now ask yourself why they would fight my defense counsel, to keep (Larry Moore) out of
my trial for murder. Because they KNOW they messed up, and arrest this
mass-murderer 4-5 weeks after my arrest in the "I-5 Bandit" crime spree. Even
the blood-type evidence doesnt match my type (B Neg.), so Judge throws state's blood
evidence out of court! But my jury had a right to hear how the first blood test revealed
(A/B) typing, and after my arrest, it changes to a plain (B) type. No "negative"
enzyme can be detected. Maybe (Larry Moore's) blood type is (A/B)?
The 1986 "Break-In" at D.A. offices, stinks of an "Inside"
corruption case! Only my file is ransacked —— so go figure Jenny. They only
charged me because of a "Line-Up" identification by (Lisa Garcia). But she never
ONCE picked me out of color, close-up photos! Or did she describe me in any police
report! Even the ambulance attendants testified for me, they state Ms. Garcia was slightly
wounded, with scalp wound, but clear thinking to describe a shorter, sandy-haired fella
matching the mass-murderer (Larry Moore).
Justice prevails on appeal as my trial judge's ruling to bar defense from seeing (Larry
Moore) in court, under cross-examination, etc. He said it was…"Irrelevent and
immaterial" (unquote). Appeals court also agreed! Ha! Where is my right to call
defense WITNESS & get a FAIR TRIAL?? I believe this is info. that
(Walter Todd) knows, as he was Deputy D.A. and law clerk under my prosecutor (1981). Today
he is covering up what he meant in his (1993) letter to me. (see both letters enclosed).
Now, Im trying to show or prove a frame-up in my only murder trial. God knows they
(state) wanted me bad enough to violate my rights to fair trial. Now the TRANSCRIPTS
dont reflect the truth of [what actually happened during my trial] —
"leg-shackling" & blood type errors in State Testimony!! Even the other
"I-5 Bandit" (state snitch-witness), testified that he made "No Deals"
with prosecutors. Today we prove otherwise. But the transcripts omit his statement!!!
Corruption to the core, Ms. Frio!
Okay, enough crying on your shoulder. You only care to know "why murderers strike
out in anger or rage"? How should I know? What a question Jenny. Care to write more
personally? Share a photo? Talk once by phone? Your choice.
"Ciao"
Randall Woodfield
From
The Serial
Killer Letters: A Penetrating Look Inside the Minds of Murderers.©1998. The Charles Press Publishers, Inc.
This
material may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without
written permission from the publisher.
 
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