Tears of relief came over William D. “Bill” Wallace’s oldest daughter and mother as a “Not Guilty” verdict was read by Judge Jan Satterfield and Wallace pointed to the sky, last Friday, May 25. The not guilty verdict came after three full days of testimony were delivered during the jury trial where Wallace appeared before Judge Satterfield for two counts; Count 1 Rape, offender 18 or older and victim less than 14 years of age and Count 2, Aggravated criminal sodomy, offender 18 or older and child less than 14. Both counts are off-grid person felonies. The second count was dismissed before the closing statements and jury instructions were provided.
The jury took just 14 minutes to deliberate last Friday afternoon and the verdict was read shortly before the courthouse closed for the week. After the verdict, The Eureka Herald reached out to jury foreman Larry Jones. He shared, “Something happened to that little girl. Something traumatized her. But, based on the evidence, there was nothing that would give me a hint of doubt that he did anything inappropriate with that girl.”
Last week’s trial was similar to the preliminary hearing held back in May 2023, where probable cause was found in the case. Similar testimony and the same witnesses for the state testified again; however, this time, the defense also had witnesses to testify on their behalf.
The jury heard from law enforcement, medical professionals, immediate family members and friends throughout the trial. Those who knew the alleged victim, who was 13 at the time, all testified to her behavior changing approximately two-weeks before she reported the incident.
Throughout testimony, it was shared that the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a possible sexual abuse case on Sunday, Jan. 22. That same day, the victim underwent a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner/Sexual Assault Response Team (SANE/ SART) exam at Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita, where abrasions and redness were noted. The victim, along with her sister, then went to the Child Advocacy Center in El Dorado where both were interviewed. During testimony, it was shared that the victim had repeatedly shared that her father had inappropriately touched her, further noting that there was digital penetration. The defense would combat these statements continuously throughout the trial, by asking if the injuries the victim had could have been self-inflicted, caused by someone else other than the defendant or even during the application of medicated ointment.
It was noted that the victim in this case has multiple medical issues including spina-bifida, autism, ADHD and ADD. With the diagnosis of spina-bifida, it was shared that there are times she needs assistance with using a catheter (to drain her bladder) as well as applying creams to prevent rashes and sometimes with bowel issues. During testimony, it was shared that the victim had a vesicostomy (a surgical opening in the bladder to the outside of the lower belly area that allows urine to drain, preventing urinary tract infections or damage to the kidneys) where she would catheter from when needed. Various testimony was provided with her mother and sister noting that she could take care of these items on her own; however her father, halfsister, paternal grandmother and a family friend testified that she sometimes needed assistance.
During the trial, the state admitted body camera footage of interrogations and various reports, as well as photographs gathered during the SANE/SART exam. These were also published for the jury and those in attendance. Throughout the interrogations, Wallace continuously stated, “I didn’t do anything” and repeatedly stated that he wouldn’t admit to something he didn’t do. In one interrogation, he provided up to five possible reasons as to what might have caused injuries and noted that “I’ve seen this coming. I knew there was something coming,” referencing that he was in a custody dispute with the alleged victim’s mother. At one time he stated, “I would kill myself before I ever harmed my family.”
Law enforcement continued to interrogate Wallace asking him to “just be honest” with them and shared that the victim had consistently shared the alleged events as well as sharing that the SANE/ SART exam noted bruising. In cross-examination of medical professionals, it was shared an internal SANE/SART exam was not completed due to the discomfort of the victim; however, per testimony from the defense’s expert witness, Dr. Jennifer Johnson, a reason as to why the exam was not completed was not included in the medical record. Dr. Johnson earned her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Maryville University in St. Louis in 2017 and owns of Johnson Legal Nurse Consulting, LLC.
It was also noted that no bruising was documented in the medical record. However, multiple abrasions, redness and a bacterial infection were documented. Dr. Johnson also referenced pictures that were provided in the medical record that showed that one of the abrasions was not present at the start of the exam but became present during the exam.
During testimony provided by Greenwood County Deputy Taylor Cordell, GreenwoodCountyAttorney Jill Gillett asked the deputy, “what was another excuse…” As she spoke, defense attorney Tom Bath moved for an immediate mistrial. Once the jury was dismissed, arguments were shared. Bath noted that it was an improper question as she used “excuse” and not “explanation.” Judge Satterfield noted that the objection was so quick that she didn’t hear the full question. The question, provided back by the court, was “Did he try to give you another excuse about the facts?” Judge Satterfield agreed that the question was improper and directed Gillett not to use such verbiage; but, noted that the question didn’t merit a mistrial.
It was also noted that there was a change in command during this case for the sheriff’s office as the
victim’s mother was dating then Undersheriff Randy Cox. With the connection in the case, it was noted that he would not be working the case and all reports would go through then Detective Jason Myers. It was also noted that the relationship ended as the girls did not like him.
Among those testifying for the state were: Sgt. James Hook and Deputy Ariana Silva, with the Wichita Police Department; Deputy Cordell, Deputy Blake Fisher and now Undersheriff Myers, with the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office; Heather Smith, RN and Meghan Castaneda, BSN both SANE/SART nurses at the time at Via Christi St. Francis; Rebecca Munger with the Child Advocacy Center in Sedgwick County; Nicole McKnight; both juvenile daughters of Wallace and Debra Wallace, the defendant’s mother.
Among those testifying for the state were: Bailey Ray, Wallace’s oldest daughter; Tami Jackson, family friend; Karen Miller, former step-daughter-in-law of the victim’s mother and Wallace himself.
During Wallace’s testimony, he noted that his younger daughter does need some help from time to time and can also be manipulated as she doesn’t understand sometimes. He, too, noted that her attitude had changed in the weeks leading up to the report. He also noted further medical conditions that could lead to issues involving her care. During the interrogation and the trial, it was shared that Wallace was uncomfortable providing care at times as she was a teenager; however, he was a single dad and he was the only one available to provide care at times.
Once both sides had rested, the defense asked for a motion of acquittal, noting that jurisdiction wasn’t established. The defense also argued for the second count to be dismissed. After brief arguments were provided, including Gillett stating that jurisdiction was established during early testimony, Judge Satterfield denied the motion for acquittal but did dismiss the second count.
Closing statements began at 3:36 p.m. on Friday. County Attorney Gillett went first, noting that the allegation was not something a 13-year-old autistic child says to people. She noted that Wallace gave several other reasons how the injuries may have occurred, including blaming a kid at school, falling into the tub and self-inflicted. She concluded by referring to a statement that the victim made during testimony, “I was laying in bed and thinking about what happened to me.”
Wallace’s attorney Bath shared that the state had the burden to prove guilt and he didn’t believe any evidence proved that and asked the jury to find him not guilty.
The jury began deliberating at 4:18 p.m. and, just 14 minutes later, shared they had reached a verdict. After returning to the courtroom, the not guilty verdict was read and the case was closed.
