The trial of the person accused of capturing and killing a Daytona Seaside police officer greater than two years in the past will start Monday morning.
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31-year-old Othal Wallace is charged with first-degree homicide of a regulation enforcement officer. Investigators say he shot Officer Jason Raynor within the head two years in the past throughout a confrontation behind Wallace’s condo.
The 26-year-old officer died in hospital about two months later. Now, the state is searching for the dying penalty for Wallace.
READ: Dispatcher reads ‘last call’ to fallen Daytona Beach Police Officer Jason Raynor
“It feels just like the bumper sticker for the dying penalty,” legal protection lawyer Joe Castrofort stated of the case. “However who is aware of?”
The clock is ticking for Wallace. His lawyer may have his first probability to steer jurors to spare his life on Monday.
Physique digicam video from the June 23, 2021 encounter reveals Officer Raynor approaching a automobile matching the outline of a stolen automobile. Otal Wallace sat inside.
The 2 spoke briefly earlier than Raynor was shot.
The state will attempt to argue that Raynor approached the automotive rigorously whereas Wallace’s workforce will declare the capturing was self-defense.
“Something that permits them to proceed residing, or something that offers them life in jail or no matter, might be a victory,” Castrofort stated. “So any extreme violence, for instance, on the a part of a police officer or any wrongdoing that he might provoke or present ultimately might trigger a jury to be sympathetic towards him.”
After the capturing, investigators stated Wallace left the scene and a nationwide manhunt started.
He was finally discovered hiding inside a treehouse in Georgia a number of days later. Investigators say they discovered the homicide weapon there as effectively.
READ: Daytona Beach Police Officer Jason Raynor dies after being shot in the head
As for the trial, it was moved to Clay County close to Jacksonville after the decide determined the case was too high-profile in Volusia County, the place the capturing occurred.
“He’s nonetheless presumed harmless,” Castrofort stated. “So we’ll should see what this proof reveals.”
The trial begins Monday at 9 a.m., and Channel 9 Eyewitness Information may have stay protection all through.
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