By Achoti Tamar
The Trial for Othal Wallace, accused of shooting and killing deceased Officer Jason Raynor of the Daytona Beach Police Department, is scheduled for September 5, 2023. The trail will take place in Clay County at 825 North Orange Avenue Green Cove Springs, Florida 32043.
Mr. Wallace has been awaiting trial since June 2021. Mr. Wallace’s defense attorney, Tim Pribisco, filed a Motion for Change of Venue requesting the trial court be moved from Volusia County where the alleged crime occurred. The Motion was granted by Judge Zambrano of Volusia County.
State Prosecutors have filed motions to have character evidence of Officer Raynor not admitted into evidence and the Judge has tabled the Motion. The Prosecution also abandoned the “Gang Member” Aggravating Factor previously stated.
Mr. Wallace is charged with First Degree Murder of a Commissioned Officer, which carries a Death Penalty Sentence. However, during a Hearing this Month, Defense Attorney’s questioned several witnesses regarding Officer Raynor’s probable cause for the detainment of Mr. Wallace. The witnesses failed to state a clear reason for Officer Raynor’s detainment and questioning of Mr. Wallace. This is problematic for the Prosecutor, as the Prosecutor must establish probable cause for the stop, which in turn will prove Officer Raynor’s detainment of Mr. Wallace was legal and warranted.
If Prosecutors cannot establish that the detainment of Mr. Wallace was legal and warranted, the Prosecutors may have “over charged” Mr. Wallace and the Case may no longer be considered a Death Penalty Case.
Prosecutors have also introduced evidence, during Discovery, of several Social Media posts made by Mr. Wallace. Defense Attorneys have filed Motions to limit the amount of such evidence stating the evidence is irrelevant and fails to establish intent. A Hearing is scheduled for August 25, 2023, at such time Judge Zambrano may rule on these Motions and several others.
Mr. Wallace plead not guilty as charged and with the hiring of a Expert Jury Selection Attorney is prepared to stand Trial.
News-Facts-N-Comments plans to be present at the start of the Trial and will provide daily updates.
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