DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The man accused of killing a Daytona Beach police officer in 2021 won’t stand trial in Volusia County.
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A judge granted Othal Wallace’s change of venue request at the Volusia County branch jail Friday morning.
Wallace’s attorneys referred to the media attention surrounding the case and public comments made by other remembers of law enforcement as grounds for why Wallace couldn’t receive a fair trial in Volusia County.
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Judge Raul Zambrano ultimately agreed, saying it would take longer to find a jury than to move the trial to another county. Which county will host Wallace’s potential death penalty trial remains up for debate.
“I think you look at the whole picture and say, well, this area is similarly situated to Volusia County, and because we’re going to have the same type of jurors, then we should move it there,” Wallace Attorney Terry Shoemaker said during Friday’s hearing.
Hearing for Othal Wallace happening right now in Volusia County Branch Jail. Wallace is accused of shooting and killing Daytona Beach Police Officer Jason Raynor in 2021. Judge is discussing change of venue for trial. @WFTV pic.twitter.com/jG6FPFT4a2
— Demie Johnson (@DemieWFTV) April 21, 2023
Wallace’s defense team suggested Alachua, Leon or Broward counties. His attorneys asked the judge to consider an area with similar racial demographics and financial resources as Volusia County.
However, the state wants the trial to stay in the seventh circuit, which also covers Flagler, Putnam and St. Johns counties.
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The state asked for St. Johns County, but Judge Zambrano said he needed more time to research the best possible location.
“That’s just one component of what I have to deal with,” Zambrano said. “Second component of what I have to deal with is whether that county can welcome this kind of trial.”
Wallace is accused of shooting and killing Daytona Beach Police Officer Jason Raynor in 2021 while Raynor was responding to a report of a suspicious incident near Kingston Ave.
The case quickly garnered public interest, a point noted in the motion to move the trial. The document details statements made by both Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood and Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young.
Wallace’s team also requested to delay the trial from its scheduled start in July to October, citing new evidence.
“We don’t feel we have enough time to investigate those matters and litigate those matters prior to trial,” Wallace’s attorney argued.
Judge Zambrano and the state agreed to delay until September.
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