Mountain View: New DNA analysis means 1992 Laurie Hourts killing will be up for a third trial
The death of Laurie Houts led to two trials in the mid-1990s that ended with hung juries; prosecutors hope newly revealed physical evidence will secure a conviction of John Kevin Woodward.
MOUNTAIN VIEW — Authorities have revived the homicide case of Laurie Houts, found strangled near her Adobe Systems workplace three decades ago, citing newly analyzed DNA evidence they hope will secure a conviction of the man who was prosecuted twice in the 1990s but was freed after both trials ended with hung juries.
John Kevin Woodward, 58, was arrested Saturday as he arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York after traveling from the Netherlands, where his online training company, Readytech, is based. The company also has an Oakland office.
Woodward was prosecuted unsuccessfully in 1995 and 1996 in the killing of the 25-year-old Houts, with juries hanging 8-4 and 7-5, both in favor of acquittal. During those trials, the evidence was deemed by jurors and defense attorneys as being insufficient, with most of it being circumstantial besides indeterminate fingerprint samples.
Both trials included controversy, both because of the perceived weakness of the evidence and the prosecution alleging that Woodward, who is gay, was jealous of Houts’ relationship with Woodward’s male roommate. The two roommates did not have a romantic relationship, and the alleged motive was criticized by Tom Nolan, the first trial’s defense attorney, as homophobic. A judge disallowed the romantic jealousy theory from being introduced during the second trial.
That landscape appears to have changed: Monday, both the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office and Mountain View Police Department said that DNA from the crime scene — Houts’ car — was re-analyzed, including the rope found around Houts’ neck, using unspecified “new developments in forensic science technology.”
“DNA samples collected from evidence at the scene came back matching Woodward’s DNA,” police wrote in a statement. “Over 80 latent fingerprints that were also collected at the time of Laurie’s death were re-examined by the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Identification Unit, which resulted in even more fingerprints matching Woodward.”
Houts died after leaving work at Adobe Systems on Charleston Road on Sept. 5, 1992. Her body was found in her car less than two miles away.
Mountain View police, DA investigators and the county Crime Lab began re-investigating the case in late 2020, and a murder charge was re-filed earlier this year, but the status of the case then hinged on locating and arresting Woodward, who had since relocated to the Netherlands.
On Saturday, after being alerted by Homeland Security, DA investigators traveled to New York and arrested Woodward as he arrived. Within 24 hours, Dutch authorities, working with the Justice Department, served a search warrant at his home and business in the Netherlands.
Woodward is currently in jail custody in New York and is awaiting extradition. Monday, authorities said he waived extradition, meaning that Mountain View police has until July 29 to escort him back to Santa Clara County, where he will be formally booked and arraigned.
“The DA’s office is thrilled that we have an opportunity, after 30 years, to seek justice for Laurie, her family and friends,” Cold-case prosecutor Rob Baker said.
In a statement Monday, the Houts family voiced gratitude for the new development in Laurie’s case.
“Laurie Anne Houts was a beloved family member and friend to many. Although she was only 5’ tall, she had a huge heart and her humor and spunk were endearing to all,” the statement reads. “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.”
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