Wife Accused Of Shooting Former Sheriff

Tuesday, June 19th 2007, 2:39 pm

By: News On 6

The wife of the former Delaware County sheriff is accused of shooting him in the chest. Candyce Woodruff, 42, of Colcord, appeared in Delaware County District Court in Jay on Monday. She faces charges of shooting with intent to kill, a felony.

Woodruff is being held at the Delaware County jail with bail set at $250,000. Lenden Woodruff, who was shot twice in the chest Sunday and is hospitalized in fair condition in Fayetteville, Ark.

Woodruff served as Delaware County sheriff from 2000 until early 2004, when he resigned amid allegations of driving under the influence. The gun used in the shooting was a 3-inch revolver that holds five .22-caliber bullets, District Attorney Eddie Wyant said.

Sheriff's deputies were sent to the Woodruff residence earlier Sunday afternoon on a domestic violence call, but when they arrived, there were no signs of violence.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Candyce Woodruff called authorities saying her husband had been drinking and was yelling at her and had slapped her.

Deputies were sent back to the residence about 5:15 p.m. after receiving a call about the shooting. When they arrived, they found Lenden Woodruff on the couch with blood on his shirt, the gun about a foot away, and Candyce Woodruff sitting in the chair next to him, holding her hands over her mouth and crying, the affidavit states.

Related Story:

6/18/2007 Former Delaware County Sheriff Shot