Bio

Steven Michael Woods Jr. was born on April 17, 1980, in Wayne County, Michigan. He had a troubled childhood that was marked by family issues. His father, Steven Woods Sr., struggled with his own addiction to drugs and alcohol, which affected his relationship with his son. The family conditions were difficult, and Woods often witnessed violence and instability at home.

As a teenager, Woods began to fall into a pattern of using drugs. He started experimenting with marijuana when he was around 13 or 14 years old. Over time, his drug use escalated to harder substances such as cocaine and heroin. Woods became heavily involved in the punk rock scene, which further contributed to his disconnection from a stable life.

After his parents' divorce, Woods became withdrawn and his academic performance suffered. He eventually dropped out of school at age 16. Following this, he lived a transient lifestyle, often moving from place to place and engaging in drug dealing to support himself. His life revolved around his addiction, and this path led him further away from any structured or positive influence.

Before the events that led to his arrest, Woods was noted for having a history of violent behavior and had made bomb-like devices when he was younger. His troubling behaviors were compounded by his substance abuse and lack of support. Even though he had some jobs earlier in life, including in computer technology and as an assembly worker, his involvement with drugs and criminal behaviors took precedence.

By the time he was 21, Woods was implicated in serious criminal activities. Although he had a difficult upbringing and faced numerous challenges, these factors would contribute to his later criminal behavior, culminating in the tragic events that changed his life forever.

Murder Story

On May 2, 2001, the bodies of Ronald Whitehead and Bethena Brosz were found near a golf course road in The Colony, Texas. Ronald had been shot six times in the head and had multiple cuts on his neck. Bethena was found alive but later died from her injuries, which included two gunshot wounds to her head, one in her knee, and a cut throat.

Steven Michael Woods Jr. and his accomplice Marcus Rhodes were suspected in the murders. Later that day, police received anonymous tips linking Woods to the crime. Investigators interviewed Woods, and he admitted to being with the victims the night before. However, he claimed he and Rhodes had lost contact with them during the trip.

As the investigation continued, authorities found items belonging to the victims in Rhodes' car. The weapons used in the murders were later discovered at the home of Rhodes' parents. In addition, a latex glove containing Woods' DNA was found in Rhodes' car.

Witnesses testified that Woods had spoken about a plan to kill the victims before the murders occurred. During his trial in 2002, it was revealed that Woods killed Ronald because he believed Ronald could testify against him in an earlier murder case in California. Prosecutors argued that Bethena was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and was killed because she witnessed Ronald's death.

Marcus Rhodes eventually pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the killings.

On August 27, 2002, Woods was convicted of capital murder. He was sentenced to death and placed on death row. Over the years, he filed multiple appeals, but eventually, all were denied. After a lengthy legal process, Woods was executed by lethal injection on September 13, 2011. His last words expressed his innocence and condemned the state for what he described as a murder of his own.