Henry Louis Wallace
Encyclopedia
Henry Louis Wallace is an American serial killer
who killed 10 women in Charlotte, North Carolina
and is awaiting execution at Central Prison
in Raleigh
.
, son of Lottie Mae Wallace and a married school teacher who walked out on his lover when he found out she was pregnant. Wallace grew up with his mother working long hours as a textile worker. His mother was a harsh disciplinarian, constantly criticizing her son for even the smallest mistakes. He attended Barnwell High School, where he was elected to student council and was a cheerleader. Wallace graduated in 1983. He became a dj for a local radio station in Barnwell. He went to several colleges before joining the U.S. Navy in 1985. Wallace married his high school sweetheart, the former Maretta Brabham, in 1987. In 1988, Wallace was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy.
. In Washington, he was served warrants
for several burglaries
in and around the Seattle metro area. In January 1988, Wallace was arrested for breaking into a hardware store. That June, he pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary. A judge sentenced him to two years of supervised probation
. According to Probation Officer Patrick Seaburg, Wallace did not show up for most mandatory meetings.
regarding her disappearance and death, but was never formally charged in her murder. He was also questioned in connection with the attempted rape
of a 16-year old Barnwell girl, but was never charged for that either. By that time, his marriage had fallen apart, and he was fired from his job as Chemical Operator for Sandoz Chemical Co.
In February 1991, he broke into his old high school and the radio station where he once worked. He stole video and recording equipment and was caught trying to pawn them.
In November 1991, he relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina
. He found jobs at several fast-food restaurants in East Charlotte. In May 1992, he picked up Sharon Nance, a convicted drug dealer and prostitute. When she demanded payment for her services, Wallace beat her to death, then dropped her body by the railroad tracks. She was found a few days later. He then strangled Caroline Love at her apartment, then dumped her body in a wooded area. After he killed her, he and her sisters filed a missing person's report at the police station. It would be almost two years (March 1994) before her body was discovered in a wooded area in Charlotte. He murdered Shawna Hawk after visiting her at her home on February 19, 1993, and later went to her funeral. In March 1993, Hawk's mother, Dee Sumpter, and her godmother
Judy Williams founded Mothers of Murder Offspring, a Charlotte-based support group for parents of murdered children.
On June 22, he killed coworker Audrey Spain. Her body was found two days later. On August 10, 1993, Wallace killed Valencia M. Jumper, then set her on fire to cover up his crime. A few days after her murder, he and his sister went to Valencia's funeral.
A month later, in September 1993, he went to the apartment of Michelle Stinson, a struggling college student and single mother of two sons. He strangled and stabbed her in front of her oldest son. That October, his only child was born.
On February 20, 1994, Wallace killed Vanessa Little Mack in her apartment. Mack had two daughters, aged seven and four months, at the time of her death.
On March 8, 1994, Wallace robbed and strangled Betty Jean Baucom. Afterwards, he took valuables from the house, then he left the apartment with her car. He pawned everything except the car, which he left at a shopping center.
Wallace went back to the same apartment complex on the night of March 8, 1994, knowing that Vernon Woods would be at work so he could murder his girlfriend, Brandi June Henderson. Wallace strangled Henderson and her son, Tarreese, that night. Afterwards, he took some valuables from the apartment and left.
The police beefed up patrols in east Charlotte after two bodies of young black women were found at The Lake apartment complex. Even so, Wallace sneaked through to rob, strangle and stab Deborah Ann Slaughter. Her body was found on March 12, 1994.
Wallace was arrested on March 13, 1994. For 12 hours, he confessed to the murders of 10 women in Charlotte. He described in detail, the women's appearances, how he raped, robbed and killed the women, and of his crack habit.
Charlotte's police chief, Dennis Nowicki, had said he was not aware of a killer until early March 1994, when three young black women were murdered within four days of each other. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department apologized to its residents for not spotting a link among the murders sooner. However, they said the murder cases varied enough to throw them off Wallace's trail. Until Wallace's murder pace picked up in the early weeks of March 1994, the deaths were sporadic and not entirely similar. It was only in the week of March 9, 1994 that Charlotte Police warned the people in East Charlotte that there was a serial killer on the loose.
One young lady said that the police did not care because the police viewed the young female murder victims as "fast girls who hang out a lot". The victims were described by both the press and family members as pretty, hardworking, and serious young women, however. Others said the reason why the police did not take the murder cases serious because the women were both working class
and black.
evidence from murdered victims, and jury selection
. His trial began in September 1996. In the opening arguments, prosecutor Marsha Goodnow argued for the death penalty, while defense attorney Isabel Day asked for a life sentence, arguing that Wallace suffered from mental illness
, and that the killings were not first-degree murder because they did not result from "premeditation and deliberation".
According to FBI serial murder expert Robert Ressler
:
Psychologist Faye Sultan testified during the trial that Wallace was constant victim of physical and mental abuse from his mother since birth and that he suffered from mental illness at the time of the killings. Sultan argued for life sentence without parole
instead of the death penalty.
On January 7, 1997, Wallace was found guilty of nine murders. On January 29, he was sentenced to nine death sentence
s.
Following his sentencing, Wallace made a statement to his victims' families.
public defender Isabel Day served as an official witness and photographer. Also attending was the manager of the Death Row
unit at the prison.
Since being sentenced to death in 1997, Wallace has been appeal
ing to the courts to overturn the death sentences, stating that his confessions were coerced
and his constitutional rights were violated in the process.
In 2005, Superior Court Judge Charles Lamm rejected Wallace's latest appeal to overturn his convictions and nine death sentences, moving him another step closer to execution.
The legal battle to save Wallace had already been through the state and federal courts. The North Carolina Supreme Court upheld the death sentences in 2000. The U.S. Supreme Court in 2001 denied his appeal.
Lamm's rejection is the first in a second round of appeals that will likely wind through state and federal courts again in the next few years.
No execution date has yet been set for Wallace.
Serial killer
A serial killer, as typically defined, is an individual who has murdered three or more people over a period of more than a month, with down time between the murders, and whose motivation for killing is usually based on psychological gratification...
who killed 10 women in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
and is awaiting execution at Central Prison
Central Prison
Central Prison is a prison operated by the North Carolina Department of Correction in Raleigh, North Carolina. The prison, west of Downtown Raleigh, is on of land and is bounded by a double wire fence with a razor ribbon on top...
in Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
.
Early life
Henry Louis Wallace was born in Barnwell, South CarolinaBarnwell, South Carolina
Barnwell is a city in Barnwell County, South Carolina, United States, located along U.S. Route 278. The population was 5,035 at the 2000 census...
, son of Lottie Mae Wallace and a married school teacher who walked out on his lover when he found out she was pregnant. Wallace grew up with his mother working long hours as a textile worker. His mother was a harsh disciplinarian, constantly criticizing her son for even the smallest mistakes. He attended Barnwell High School, where he was elected to student council and was a cheerleader. Wallace graduated in 1983. He became a dj for a local radio station in Barnwell. He went to several colleges before joining the U.S. Navy in 1985. Wallace married his high school sweetheart, the former Maretta Brabham, in 1987. In 1988, Wallace was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy.
Early criminal career
During his time in the Navy, he began using several drugs, including crack cocaineCrack cocaine
Crack cocaine is the freebase form of cocaine that can be smoked. It may also be termed rock, hard, iron, cavvy, base, or just crack; it is the most addictive form of cocaine. Crack rocks offer a short but intense high to smokers...
. In Washington, he was served warrants
Warrant (law)
Most often, the term warrant refers to a specific type of authorization; a writ issued by a competent officer, usually a judge or magistrate, which permits an otherwise illegal act that would violate individual rights and affords the person executing the writ protection from damages if the act is...
for several burglaries
Burglary
Burglary is a crime, the essence of which is illicit entry into a building for the purposes of committing an offense. Usually that offense will be theft, but most jurisdictions specify others which fall within the ambit of burglary...
in and around the Seattle metro area. In January 1988, Wallace was arrested for breaking into a hardware store. That June, he pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary. A judge sentenced him to two years of supervised probation
Probation
Probation literally means testing of behaviour or abilities. In a legal sense, an offender on probation is ordered to follow certain conditions set forth by the court, often under the supervision of a probation officer...
. According to Probation Officer Patrick Seaburg, Wallace did not show up for most mandatory meetings.
Murders
In early 1990, he murdered Tashonda Bethea, then dumped her in a lake in his hometown. It was not until weeks later that her body was discovered. He was questioned by the policePolice
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
regarding her disappearance and death, but was never formally charged in her murder. He was also questioned in connection with the attempted rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
of a 16-year old Barnwell girl, but was never charged for that either. By that time, his marriage had fallen apart, and he was fired from his job as Chemical Operator for Sandoz Chemical Co.
In February 1991, he broke into his old high school and the radio station where he once worked. He stole video and recording equipment and was caught trying to pawn them.
In November 1991, he relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
. He found jobs at several fast-food restaurants in East Charlotte. In May 1992, he picked up Sharon Nance, a convicted drug dealer and prostitute. When she demanded payment for her services, Wallace beat her to death, then dropped her body by the railroad tracks. She was found a few days later. He then strangled Caroline Love at her apartment, then dumped her body in a wooded area. After he killed her, he and her sisters filed a missing person's report at the police station. It would be almost two years (March 1994) before her body was discovered in a wooded area in Charlotte. He murdered Shawna Hawk after visiting her at her home on February 19, 1993, and later went to her funeral. In March 1993, Hawk's mother, Dee Sumpter, and her godmother
Godparent
A godparent, in many denominations of Christianity, is someone who sponsors a child's baptism. A male godparent is a godfather, and a female godparent is a godmother...
Judy Williams founded Mothers of Murder Offspring, a Charlotte-based support group for parents of murdered children.
On June 22, he killed coworker Audrey Spain. Her body was found two days later. On August 10, 1993, Wallace killed Valencia M. Jumper, then set her on fire to cover up his crime. A few days after her murder, he and his sister went to Valencia's funeral.
A month later, in September 1993, he went to the apartment of Michelle Stinson, a struggling college student and single mother of two sons. He strangled and stabbed her in front of her oldest son. That October, his only child was born.
On February 20, 1994, Wallace killed Vanessa Little Mack in her apartment. Mack had two daughters, aged seven and four months, at the time of her death.
On March 8, 1994, Wallace robbed and strangled Betty Jean Baucom. Afterwards, he took valuables from the house, then he left the apartment with her car. He pawned everything except the car, which he left at a shopping center.
Wallace went back to the same apartment complex on the night of March 8, 1994, knowing that Vernon Woods would be at work so he could murder his girlfriend, Brandi June Henderson. Wallace strangled Henderson and her son, Tarreese, that night. Afterwards, he took some valuables from the apartment and left.
The police beefed up patrols in east Charlotte after two bodies of young black women were found at The Lake apartment complex. Even so, Wallace sneaked through to rob, strangle and stab Deborah Ann Slaughter. Her body was found on March 12, 1994.
Wallace was arrested on March 13, 1994. For 12 hours, he confessed to the murders of 10 women in Charlotte. He described in detail, the women's appearances, how he raped, robbed and killed the women, and of his crack habit.
The aftermath and criticism
Charlotte's police chief congratulated Wallace's arrest, reassuring the community that the women of East Charlotte were safe. However, many in the area's black community criticized the police's conduct during the investigation, accusing them of neglecting the murders of black women. As Shawna Denise Hawk's mother, Dee Sumpter, said:- "The victims weren't prominent people with social-economic status. They weren't special. And they were black."
Charlotte's police chief, Dennis Nowicki, had said he was not aware of a killer until early March 1994, when three young black women were murdered within four days of each other. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department apologized to its residents for not spotting a link among the murders sooner. However, they said the murder cases varied enough to throw them off Wallace's trail. Until Wallace's murder pace picked up in the early weeks of March 1994, the deaths were sporadic and not entirely similar. It was only in the week of March 9, 1994 that Charlotte Police warned the people in East Charlotte that there was a serial killer on the loose.
One young lady said that the police did not care because the police viewed the young female murder victims as "fast girls who hang out a lot". The victims were described by both the press and family members as pretty, hardworking, and serious young women, however. Others said the reason why the police did not take the murder cases serious because the women were both working class
Working class
Working class is a term used in the social sciences and in ordinary conversation to describe those employed in lower tier jobs , often extending to those in unemployment or otherwise possessing below-average incomes...
and black.
The trial
Over the next two years, Wallace's trial was delayed over choice of venue, DNADNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
evidence from murdered victims, and jury selection
Jury selection
Jury selection are many methods used to choose the people who will serve on a trial jury. The jury pool is first selected from among the community using a reasonably random method. The prospective jurors are then questioned in court by the judge and/or attorneys...
. His trial began in September 1996. In the opening arguments, prosecutor Marsha Goodnow argued for the death penalty, while defense attorney Isabel Day asked for a life sentence, arguing that Wallace suffered from mental illness
Mental illness
A mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern generally associated with subjective distress or disability that occurs in an individual, and which is not a part of normal development or culture. Such a disorder may consist of a combination of affective, behavioural,...
, and that the killings were not first-degree murder because they did not result from "premeditation and deliberation".
According to FBI serial murder expert Robert Ressler
Robert Ressler
Robert K. Ressler is a former FBI agent and author. He played a significant role in the psychological profiling of violent offenders in the 1970s and is often credited with coining the English term "serial killer"....
:
- "If he elected to become a serial killer, he was going about it in the wrong way... Mr. Wallace always seemed to take one step forward and two steps back. He would take items and put them in the stove to destroy them by burning them and then forget to turn the stove on."
Psychologist Faye Sultan testified during the trial that Wallace was constant victim of physical and mental abuse from his mother since birth and that he suffered from mental illness at the time of the killings. Sultan argued for life sentence without parole
Parole
Parole may have different meanings depending on the field and judiciary system. All of the meanings originated from the French parole . Following its use in late-resurrected Anglo-French chivalric practice, the term became associated with the release of prisoners based on prisoners giving their...
instead of the death penalty.
On January 7, 1997, Wallace was found guilty of nine murders. On January 29, he was sentenced to nine death sentence
Death Sentence
Death Sentence is a short story by the American science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov. It was first published in the November 1943 issue of Astounding Science Fiction and reprinted in the 1972 collection The Early Asimov.-Plot summary:...
s.
Following his sentencing, Wallace made a statement to his victims' families.
- "None of these women, none of your daughters, mothers, sisters or family members in any way deserved what they got. They did nothing to me that warranted their death."
On Death Row
On June 5, 1998, Wallace married a former prison nurse, Rebecca Torrijas, in a ceremony next to the execution chamber where he has been sentenced to die. Mecklenburg CountyMecklenburg County, North Carolina
-Air:The county's primary commercial aviation airport is Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte.- Intercity rail :With twenty-five freight trains a day, Mecklenburg is a freight railroad transportation center, largely due to its place on the NS main line between Washington and Atlanta...
public defender Isabel Day served as an official witness and photographer. Also attending was the manager of the Death Row
Death row
Death row signifies the place, often a section of a prison, that houses individuals awaiting execution. The term is also used figuratively to describe the state of awaiting execution , even in places where no special facility or separate unit for condemned inmates exists.After individuals are found...
unit at the prison.
Since being sentenced to death in 1997, Wallace has been appeal
Appeal
An appeal is a petition for review of a case that has been decided by a court of law. The petition is made to a higher court for the purpose of overturning the lower court's decision....
ing to the courts to overturn the death sentences, stating that his confessions were coerced
Coercion
Coercion is the practice of forcing another party to behave in an involuntary manner by use of threats or intimidation or some other form of pressure or force. In law, coercion is codified as the duress crime. Such actions are used as leverage, to force the victim to act in the desired way...
and his constitutional rights were violated in the process.
In 2005, Superior Court Judge Charles Lamm rejected Wallace's latest appeal to overturn his convictions and nine death sentences, moving him another step closer to execution.
The legal battle to save Wallace had already been through the state and federal courts. The North Carolina Supreme Court upheld the death sentences in 2000. The U.S. Supreme Court in 2001 denied his appeal.
Lamm's rejection is the first in a second round of appeals that will likely wind through state and federal courts again in the next few years.
No execution date has yet been set for Wallace.
Sources
- The Serial Killer the Cops Ignored:The Henry Louis Wallace Murders by Jason Lapeyre
- Various Newspaper sources, mainly The Charlotte Observer, The Augusta(GA)Chronicle, New York Times, News and Observer (Raleigh, N.C.), and USA Today.
- Offender Data Screen. North Carolina Department of Correction. Retrieved on 2007-11-16.
External links
- "HENRY LOUIS WALLACE: A CALAMITY WAITING TO HAPPEN" By Joseph Geringer
- The Serial Killer The Cops Ignore by Jason Lepeyre
- A Charlotte Tragedy: The Nine Victims of Henry Louis Wallace
- My love and my loss - handling the murder of a daughter -By Dee Sumpter, Jan. 1996 Essence Magazine
- Transcript of the Henry Louis Wallace Trial
- Caroline Love at Find-a-Grave.com
- Shawna Denise Hawk at Find-a-Grave.com
- Valencia Michele Jumper at Find-a-Grave.com
- Brandi June Henderson at Find-a-Grave.com
- Betty Jean Baucum at Find-a-Grave.com
- Tashanda Bethea at Find-a-Grave.com
- Vanessa Mack at Find-a-Grave.com
- La Bella Shawna
- La Fiammetta Valencia
- A Tribute To The Victims of Henry Louis Wallace