Green Cove Springs, TX (Clay County), On September 15, 2023, the jury selected in the case of The State of Florida v Othal Wallace began deliberation. This morning, the jury returned a verdict of Manslaughter, which in the State of Florida carries a minimum of 9.25 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The verdict is contrary to the Capital Murder charge presented by the prosecutors in connection with deceased Daytona Beach Police Officer, Jason Raynor.
On June 23, 2021, Officer Raynor, acting proactively, approached Othal Wallace in an attempt to engage Mr. Wallace in what appeared to be a non-consensual stop. During the encounter, Officer Raynor questioned Mr. Wallace, and Mr. Wallace did not answer the officer's questions. The State of Florida Law states: You have the right to remain silent and ignore any questions asked by the police officer. You have the right to terminate the encounter and leave the scene unless they are being detained based on reasonable suspicion or probable cause. In addition, you have the right to decline any search unless the police officer has a warrant or probable cause to search.
Mr. Wallace, who was parked at the residential apartment complex where he resided, was approached by Officer Raynor. Wallace’s Defense Attorney’s objected to Judge Zambrano’s refusal to admit the consensual stop argument into record for the jury to consider. Prosecuting Attorneys were adamant about not allowing the Consensual Stop Law to enter the record or become a part of the jury instructions and the Judge agreed and denied several motions made by the defense several times.
The jury, on three occasions, posed questions to the court in reference to a citizens’ right to refuse an encounter with a police officer who is void of reasonable, articulable suspicion that crime is occurring or about to occur. The verdict proves that the State failed to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt that Othal Wallace intentionally killed Office Raynor by committing Felony Murder.
Supporters of Othal Wallace are celebrating the jury’s verdict as a victory in their attempt to save Othal Wallace’s life. The People’s Legal Aid Project (PALP) raised over $100,000 to pay for Othal Wallace’s defense attorneys.
Mr. Wallace was the only witness in his case and testified on his behalf. The verdict is a testament that his testimony was convincing. The prosecutors assertion that Mr. Wallace intended to kill Officer Raynor that night was erroneous. The prosecutor overcharged Mr. Wallace in its rush to judgement, and in the end, the Jury did not believe the shooting death of Officer Raynor by Othal Wallace was
premeditated.
The prosecution presented 32 witnesses and tons of evidence to persuade the jury, and it appeared that their attempt was an epic failure.
Now, the community awaits the sentencing trial where Judge Zambrano will have the discretion to sentence Othal Wallace to 9.25 to 15 years in prison.
By Achoti Tamar
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