The Betrayal of a Friend’s False Testimony

The New Yorker

by Jennifer Gonnerman

February 25, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Tyrone Woodruff, now sixty-seven, has spent decades grappling with his role in a wrongful conviction that led to the imprisonment of three friends. As a seventeen-year-old in 1976, Woodruff’s testimony under police pressure helped send Darryl Boyd, Darryn Gibson, and John Walker Jr. to prison for the murder of William Crawford. Decades later, Woodruff has sought redemption, traveling to federal courthouses to recount his story and face the consequences of his actions. His torso tattoo, inspired by DJ Khaled’s “Never Surrender,” serves as a constant reminder of the pain he caused and the life-altering decisions he made. The incident began on January 2, 1976, when Woodruff and his friend John Walker Jr., then known as Boo-Boo, spent the evening with their friends at the Glenny Drive Apartments. Meanwhile, William Crawford, a sixty-two-year-old retiree, was fatally beaten outside his home on Fillmore Avenue. Witnesses reported seeing Crawford flash cash around at the Golden Nugget bar, where he was a regular. A bartender intervened, but Crawford’s body was later found in his driveway with a wallet stolen of $300. Police initially suspected Crawford’s neighbor, Larry Watson, but their investigation shifted after receiving tips implicating Woodruff’s friend Darryn Gibson. Despite an alibi, Gibson was brought in for questioning and eventually accused by another tipster. Woodruff and his friends were interrogated by police, all maintaining the same story of their whereabouts on the night of Crawford’s death. However, under pressure, Woodruff implicated his friends, leading to their convictions. Now reflecting on his actions, Woodruff emphasizes that his decision was driven by fear and confusion rather than malice. His journey toward redemption has been marked by silence and regret, as he continues to live with the weight of his past choices. The case highlights the broader issues of wrongful convictions, police interrogation techniques, and

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Originally published on The New Yorker on 2/25/2026