CLAY COUNTY, Fla. —Witness testimony resumed Tuesday in the trial of Othal Wallace—the man accused of shooting and killing Daytona Beach Police Officer Jason Raynor.
Witnesses included DNA analysts, law enforcement with Georgia State Patrol, ATF, and Daytona Beach police. Jurors also heard from Wallace's own father.
Much of the testimony Tuesday surrounded Wallace ultimately being found following the shooting inside a treehouse in Georgia.
Witnesses testified at least two loaded guns and multiple rounds of ammunition were found in the treehouse as well.
Trooper Jonathan Salcedo with Georgia State Patrol testified Tuesday. He explained that on June 26, 2021, he was on the team searching a Georgia property for Wallace.
"The plan was we were going to take three armored bearcats. There were several structures at this property," Salcedo said.
He said the team turned the lights on on the bearcat and had a negotiator start giving announcements. Attorneys for the state asked, "Did you want your presence to be known?"
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To which Salcedo said, "Yes, sir."
The attorney asked, "Did you want to leave no doubt that it was law enforcement out there at that time?"
"Correct," Salcedo said.
On cross-examination, the defense asked the trooper, "Wouldn't you admit that from that position up where he was, he had a tactical advantage over you when you didn't know he was there?"
Salcedo said, "Absolutely."
"So if he had wanted, if anybody had wanted, if anybody wanted to as you're coming up … you saw guns in the treehouse, right?" the defense asked. "Numerous guns?"
"I recall specifically seeing that pistol," Salcedo said.
"So from up above there, if he wanted to, he could have just opened up fire on you, couldn't he?" the defense asked.
The next witness to be called in was Cody Cassidy, a police detective with the city of Daytona Beach. He was also there when Wallace was found in Georgia. Before he could tell the court what Wallace said when he was found, the judge had the jury leave the room.
Cassidy told the judge and those left in the courtroom: "He said, 'You already know who I am. You know what I'm capable of. I saved the officers here in Georgia. Things could have gone a lot worse.'"
The judge ultimately wouldn't let the jurors hear that line. But when asked if the state could find more case law to try and get the statement reintroduced, the judge agreed.
The judge finished the day of testimony by speaking directly to Wallace.
Judge Raul Zambrano said he anticipates closing arguments could come in the case by Thursday. He told Wallace they are quickly approaching the time when Wallace would have the opportunity to testify, reminding him it is his right to testify or remain silent.
“It is your right. It doesn’t belong to your lawyers, the state," Zambrano said. "Obviously, I encourage you to have a serious discussion about whether or not you would like to take the stand with your lawyers. They should tell you what the dangers are if you take the stand and then not taking the stand.”
The judge told Wallace if he chooses to take the stand, he can expect to be vigorously cross-examined.
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