Judge targets April 2023 for trial of man accused of killing Daytona Beach police officer

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The man accused of killing Daytona Beach police officer Jason Raynor had his first in-person hearing before a judge Tuesday afternoon.

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Judge Raul Zambrano called the hearing to check on the progress of the case against Othal Wallace, and set a timeframe for when it will go to trial.

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“We have to get moving,” Judge Zambrano said.

During Tuesday’s hearing, it was revealed that the state has 65 witnesses they intend to call for trial.

Wallace’s defense team has not listed any witnesses, but says it’s in the process of retaining expert witnesses for trial.

The judge set a tentative target date of April 2023 to start the trial.

Another case management hearing was scheduled to take place in March.

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Othal Wallace stood silent during Tuesday’s hearing.

When asked by the judge whether he was having any problems with is lawyers, Wallace simply shook his head “no.”

Officer Raynor was on patrol June 23 when he was allegedly shot in the head by Wallace.

Raynor was responding to a suspicious incident near Kingston Avenue in Daytona Beach when he encountered Wallace.

Body camera video showed Wallace attacking Raynor before ultimately shooting him and fleeing the scene.

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Wallace was later arrested in Georgia and brought back to Florida days later.

Wallace remains in custody without bail as he awaits his trial.

The State Attorney’s Office has said it intends to seek the death penalty against Wallace.

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