Black Country father accused of hiring American hitman to kill wife
A father from the Black Country accused of hiring a hitman in America to kill his wife will stand trial later this year, it has been revealed.
William Wallace has been charged with her attempted murder following a police sting operation and is being remanded in custody.
The 33-year-old, who is from Walsall but now lives in Santa Ana, California, allegedly offered an undercover officer posing as a hired killer $30,000 (£18,000) to carry out the crime over Christmas.
He is involved in a custody and child support battle with his ex-wife, who has not been named, over their four-year-old daughter. Police say he showed the undercover detective from the Orange County Sheriff's Office a photograph of the victim so that she could be identified.
Wallace has denied the charges and a trial date has been set for October 6.
Wallace, whose family live on the Yew Tree estate, is accused of asking that the murder take place after December 23, when he would be back in the West Midlands for a visit.
Prosecutors say he hired a private investigator in August to find 'negative information' about his daughter's mother, who is originally from Sussex, so he could use it against her in court.
It is claimed the following month Wallace told the detective he wanted his ex killed instead, and asked if he knew anyone who could do it and dispose of the body.
He faces at least 26 years if convicted.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Heather Brown told a previous hearing in Santa Ana: "He trusted this investigator and mentioned that it would be probably cheaper if he murdered her."
A statement by the Orange County District Attorney's Office says: "Wallace is accused of hiring a private investigator to try and find negative information about the victim that could be used against her in court. Beginning in September 2013, the defendant is accused of telling the private investigator he wanted the un-named woman killed.
"In October 2013, Wallace is accused of asking the private investigator if he knew of anyone who would murder her and dispose of her body. On December 21, Wallace is accused of meeting an undercover detective from the Orange County Sheriff's Department, whom he believed to be a man who could facilitate the murder."
Wallace was charged with premeditated attempted murder and two counts of solicitation to commit murder.
