Michelle Woodford admits she didn’t get much sleep Monday night as she prepared to come face to face with the man accused of killing her son.
“It got harder knowing that this court date was today,” she said. “I mean, I knew it was coming, but it just got harder.”
Damien Peterson was arraigned in Palmer Tuesday morning. The 19-year-old faces four charges in 16-year-old Frank Woodford’s June 2016 death, including second-degree murder.
When Peterson was escorted into the courtroom, Michelle Woodford says she felt “a wave of emotions flying through me.”
“Hate was one of them,” she added.
But Michelle Woodford says Tuesday’s court appearance brings her one step closer to seeing justice for her son. Alaska State Troopers initially closed Frank Woodford’s death investigation but reopened it months later in light of new information. Those were months Michelle Woodford said she spent waiting for her son’s life to matter.
Edie Grunwald hugs Michelle Woodford in court following the arraignment of Frank Woodford’s alleged killer
“It shouldn’t have been shut in the first place,” she said of the case. “We’re emotionally wrecked. I mean, unless you’ve gone though something like this, you don’t know what it’s like.”
Next to Michelle Woodford in court Tuesday was Edie Grunwald, a mom who says she knows exactly what Michelle Woodford is going through. Her son, David Grunwald, was found dead in December. Peterson’s brother, Devin Peterson, is charged in connection with the 16-year-old’s death.
Another familiar name, Austin Barrett, is listed in court documents as being present in the room when Frank Woodford was shot. Barrett is also charged in connection with David Grunwald’s death. Edie Grunwald says she wasn’t surprised to see either teen’s name attached to another homicide investigation.
“I mean, my heart went out to her instantly,” Edie Grunwald said of Michelle Woodford.
The two mothers say their lives are now intertwined by separate tragedies. Both also note that if troopers had looked deeper into Frank Woodford’s death when it happened, perhaps another life could have been spared.
“If they would’ve did their jobs like they’re supposed to do and not dally along, trying to shove it under the rug, maybe, you know, your boy would’ve still been alive,” Michelle Woodford said to Edie Grunwald. “My heart hurts for you.”
Damien Peterson was also arraigned on charges of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and third-degree assault in Frank Woodford’s death.
Contact Sierra Starks at sstarks@ktva.com and on Facebook and Twitter, @SStarksKTVA
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