No More Appeals for Jon Thomas Wallis

Laynie's face was bruised; it was always bruised. Laynie told her friends that Eddie beat her regularly. First she asked them to visit often to protect her; then she told them to stay away. One day the local news carried the story of a woman's suicide. It was Laynie. The funeral was packed, and those who worked with Eddie told how much he had loved his late wife and had tried to help her conquer her demons. The days and weeks after the funeral, Laynie's lies began to unravel little by little. Very little of her account of life before the Shoals proved to be true. Was she also lying about Eddie?

Tessa was one who had especially tried to help Laynie. She worked a second job to help her husband through law school and she often encountered Eddie there on weekends. He was kind and courteous. He told Tessa how much he missed Laynie. When Tessa had a flat, Eddie was the first to offer to fix it. Tessa began to believe Laynie's tales of Eddie's violent nature were just more lies.

Then Eddie came by Tessa's workplace after being evicted from his apartment. He felt the landlord had blamed him for Laynie's death. As he spoke, his voice grew louder and deeper. He used words that Tessa never heard outside a movie. Eddie's eyes grew large and he plainly said how he would love to find the landlord alone and kill him with his bare hands. 

Tessa realized Eddie was capable of being two different people...

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Aren't most of us really two different people? Just not to the extremes of Eddie...and perhaps Jon Thomas Wallis. Tommy, as his many friends call him, is now serving a life sentence in prison. We've received word that he's exhausted all his appeals. His only recourse now is parole. How long he must serve to be considered is nebulous, but certainly at least 10 years without an attorney to lobby for him. Probably it will be much longer before the board sets a date.

Here's two links of interest:

Wallis v. State of Alabama

Give Tommy Freedom

Notice the February 2012 FB page entry. Tommy has never had any other felony? My, my... What was that three years for trafficking? We don't think it was a misdemeanor. 

Shoalanda

Two Tommies Get Bad News

from tommy....thank you all for coming today to support me...i really dont have words right now except that i will not just sit down. i will fight to be with my family and friends. They said I was Gonna do LIFE inside the wall ...I say I am gonna have a life and i will be free!!! we only just begun to fight!!!

The above words were posted on the Facebook page of Jon Thomas Wallis this afternoon after his sentencing. Tommy Wallis, aka the Inkslinger, received a life sentence in Judge Jones' courtroom this afternoon. We may assume that Wallis (pictured on his 31st birthday) intends to appeal his sentence. Only capital sentences provide a free appeal, so Wallis' quest will be expensive, as well as lengthy.

Wallis had previously been arrested for stalking and convicted of drug trafficking. We'll be having more on Wallis in upcoming days.

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Wallis wasn't the only Tommy to get bad news today. Tommy Arthur has been scheduled to die by lethal injection on March 29th. We're not holding our breath...

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With the abundance of violent crime in the area, many forget that we are primarily a political blog. We'll soon be adding a new team member--an expert in Alabama politics as played out in our capital. Keep reading...



Shoalanda

Jon Thomas Wallis Sentencing/Absentee Voting

The sentencing hearing for Jon Thomas Wallis will be Thursday, February 23rd, in Lauderdale County Circuit Court. Wallis was convicted in December of the attempted murder of his wife. Those wishing to comment during the sentencing may do so. Tommy Wallis faces a minimum term of 20 years.

Related post: Wallis Convicted

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Circuit Court Clerks Missy Homan Hibbett (Lauderdale County) and Nancy Hearn (Colbert County) would like to remind everyone that absentee voting is going on now.  You may qualify to vote absentee if you will be unable to vote on Tuesday, March 13 due to:

1.  Being out of town on election day

2.  Physical illness or condition

3.  Job responsibilities

4.  Military service

5.  Attending college out of town

Call or go by the county circuit clerk's office if you have questions.  You may also visit the Secretary of State's website for more information.  http://www.sos.alabama.gov/Elections/AbsenteeVotingInfo.aspx

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From our friend Daniel Horton:

We thought you might like to know that in addition to videos and books, we're also getting into the music business too! This is the first single from our good friends Ashlyn Maine, their first album will be out from Dirrty Apple in about a month on iTunes and Amazon!





Shoalanda

What Was Matthew Fox's Involvement in Amanda Taylor's Death?

Matthew Fox

No matter what we may think of those involved in Amanda Taylor's death, they are not all equally guilty. The following is from Luke Stanfield, a close friend of Matt Fox:

He was at my house when the murder took place. we got the text from Ashley at my house asking how to dispose of a body. we didn't believe her and laughed it off and told her what we had seen in movies and on csi and criminal minds. once we knew it was real we told them to call the cops. he left my house later that night around 1am-2am. where he went after that i don't know. but i do know he wasn't there to kill or dismember her. if we had known it was real to start with we wouldn't have even said anything to her about how to "dispose" of the body. She told fox that, at the time, her unnamed roommate had been attacked and killed her in self defense.

I now know that fox went over there after he left my house. but he was lied to about the situation. I guess he didn't know what to do because a man he didn't know just killed someone and had cut her up when he got there so out of fear for his on life he said nothing and did nothing. I can see why he would fear for his life after seeing some guy you don't know killed some one he knew, what would keep him from killing a complete stranger.

We have no reason to believe that this is not true; however, Fox remained silent for over five weeks. He will have to answer the charges for that.

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From D.K.:

The Times Daily wrote this morning in the Amanda Taylor case the 3 defendants would have their first court date some time today. I drove over to Colbert Co. to find out that it happened Friday.

If there is going to many (at the trial) have a system to make sure first Family and then close friends have a reserved area for them so not to be left out in the halls, of course I guess then the defendants would have to have a place or room for them, not that very many at all will be there for their support.

It very well may happen in this case, with all reports and news of this, I can see a possible motion to ask for a Move, and it just may be granted with this one, more so with the one (Weems) charged for Murder.

D.K. is always more than willing to help any family that has lost a loved one to crime and violence. Often families are not ready for his help, but we hope they know he will be there for them when they are.

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The attempted murder trial of Jon Thomas Wallis begins today in Lauderdale County. Wallis, currently serving a sentence for drug trafficking, will be tried for the attack on his wife. Jurors were selected yesterday, and testimony will begin at 9:00 a.m.

Wallis is currently serving his time in the Lauderdale County Jail, with a release date of April 29, 2014. Assuming (and hoping for) a conviction in this case, he should be transferred to a state facility within 30 days.

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From Alaina Burgess of the UNA Paralegal program:

The University of North Alabama is sponsoring a General Law CLE on December 16, 2011, on the campus of the University of North Alabama. The CLE is approved by the Alabama State Bar, and will contain 6 credit hours, with 1 hour of Ethics. Special Guest Instructors include Alabama Court of Civil Appeals Judges Terri Thomas and Terry Moore; and Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals Presiding Judge Samuel Welch, Judge Liles Burke and Judge J. Michael Joiner.

The cost is only $99 and lunch is provided!

We hope to see you there!


Shoalanda

Bad Boys: Wifebeaters Edition

Jon Thomas Wallis: Our recent report on Wallis' 15 year sentence involved his drug trafficking charges only. Sources say Wallis still faces attempted murder charges in the shooting of his wife Tanya Marie Wallis. We hope that friends and family of Tanya will request the Lauderdale District Attorney's office prosecutes Wallace to the fullest extent.

Related: Jon Thomas Wallis

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John Milton Littrell: Since we last reported on Littrell, sources have confirmed this ne'er-do-well has at least 17 previous assault charges. Most assaults are classified as misdemeanors; therefore, we have no idea if Littrell has any previous felony convictions or how many. It's possible that Littrell could be tried as a habitual offender, and at least logical that given his previous record the Class B Felony charges facing this local bad boy could be upgraded, making Littrell ineligible for Correctional Incentive Time.

From a family member, "I have been following the comments on TimesDaily and want you to know that we find his actions unforgivable. Disappointing does not come close to describing what his daughters expressed in that forum. I have for years known that John was the worst possible person they could be exposed to but he has steadily brainwashed them into seeing the world from his perspective. Honestly, our family doesn't want to be involved at all and only offer up prayers for John that he can change his life. I hurt most for his mother who has had to endure this embarrassment for almost 30 years."

A highly informed take on Littrell's family situation from our faithful reader DS:

Perhaps I can offer some insight on why Littrell's daughters feel the woman he is currently in jail for beating 'deserved' what she received. If Littrell's daughters have grown up witnessing, or perhaps being victims themselves, of Littrell's rage and abuse towards women, they actually perceive such abuse as 'normal'. Over the course of their lives they have most likely been subjected to such events often enough, and the accompanying rationalization of such by Littrell, and themselves, that they actually believe such beatings to be justified.

During what was bound to have been a miserable childhood, Littrell's daughters no doubt were convinced that whenever a woman failed to obey her man, the appropriate response was a beating. In their young formative years, their psyches soon accepted this horrible lie as truth.

Studies have shown that if people, especially children, habitually traumatized women, etc. are told a lie often enough, soon they will believe such lies to actually be the truth. BELIEF in such lies is often THE primary reason victims of domestic violence refuse to leave their tormentor: they have been convinced that 'no one will believe you, no one will have you, you're worthless, etc, etc, etc'.

In a recent study, 30,000 incidences of domestic violence were reported in West Tennessee alone for 2009. Studies indicate that ONLY 1 in 10 cases of domestic violence are actually reported. THAT should make one think.

Related: John Milton Littrell



Shoalanda

Jon Wallis Sentenced/Presley a Republican

Jon Thomas Wallis, accused of drug trafficking and the attempted murder of his wife, has been sentenced to 15 years, with three to serve and 12 on probation. The charges against Tanya Marie Wallis were dropped. We hope Mrs. Wallis and her child can now put the incident behind them.

Related posts:

Jon Thomas Wallis

Stalker?

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On Monday we reported that Dale Presley was running for the Colbert County Commission in District 6 on the Democratic ticket. We've been informed that Ms. Presley, a Cherokee Dollar General manager, is in fact running under the Republican banner. She may make her official announcement as early as next week. Good luck, Dale!

Related post: District 6 Heats Up

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We attempted to present snippets from both sides in yesterday's blog on the Freedom from Religion Foundation's campaign to end public prayer at school sponsored events in Lauderdale County; apparently we did an excellent job since each side in the debate has been highly critical of the column. We have received several comments on both sides that bear repeating, so tomorrow we'll dedicate our blog to a second look at the issue--one that's bound to linger long past football season.

Related post: Jeremy Lane Green



Shoalanda

Is Jon Thomas Wallis a Stalker?

Earlier this week we published a blog concerning Jon Thomas Wallis; Wallis was recently arrested and charged with the attempted murder of his wife Tania Marie. At that time Florence Police noted the 31 year-old Wallis had previously been charged with stalking--he also has pending drug trafficking charges.

A friend of Wallis has asked us to look further into the events leading up to the shooting of Tania Wallis. This friend, who was out of the country at the time of Wallis' stalking arrest, also seemed to believe Wallis had been found not guilty of these charges. So, just what is the truth surrounding the two events? We certainly don't have the entire story on either charge, but we can fill in some of the blanks for Wallis' friend.

Early on Monday morning September 7, 2009, Wallis was in a Florence bar where he had a documented altercation with another man. During the next few days, Wallis was accused of attempting to find the man, threatening two separate individuals, and going so far as to break into a mutual friend's home to find information on the man's whereabouts.

Florence Police arrested Jon Thomas Wallis for stalking, making terrorist threats, and burglary. Was he found not guilty? No, it seems for whatever reason, a grand jury did not indict Wallis. According to legal sources, the grand jury could have considered that all testimony came from friends of the alleged victim, or that possibly the investigating officer was unable to testify for whatever reason. This in itself proves Wallis neither innocent nor guilty.

What of Wallis' wife? According to a local paramedic, even though Mrs. Wallis sustained severe head injuries, the weather on April 27th prevented her being transported to the NICU at Huntsville Hospital. After treatment at ECM, Mrs. Wallis is apparently improving rapidly. The same source feels she has probably already spoken with Florence Police concerning the shooting.

We certainly feel for Wallis' friend in this situation, but our first concern here has always been and always will be the brutal violence against the innocent. If Wallis himself is innocent in this crime, we hope he is cleared of all charges.

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We have been informed that one EEOC complaint against Lauderdale County Sheriff Ronnie Willis is pending. The complainant will likely charge age discrimination. We know neither the name nor the age of the employee filing the charges, but Willis' new administrative assistant Nancy Sartain is said to be 42. A Rogersville resident, Mrs. Sartain had been with the Lauderdale Sheriff's office less than one year when she was hired earlier this month to replace the retiring Betty Hooks.



Shoalanda

Jon Thomas Wallis: Drug Dealer/Stalker

Jon Thomas Wallis of Florence was well known to police before he allegedly shot his wife last week during a domestic dispute. Wallis, 31, claims his wife Tanya Marie Wallis, 28, shot herself in the bedroom of their Quail Run Apartment located off Chisholm Road.

In October 2010, police arrested the couple on charges of trafficking in marijuana. Authorities found drugs having a street value of $75,000.00 in their modest apartment, along with two hand guns, three rifles, and a large amount of ammunition. Wallis also has previous charges for stalking and is being charged with attempted murder.

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If you've never heard our friend Kerry Gilbert and the KGB, you have a chance to remedy that May 14th. Kerry will be performing a concert to benefit tornado victims at the historic Roxy Theatre in downtown Russellville at 7:00 p.m.

Kerry is always willing to work for the Franklin County community, and this cause should be special to all of us here in Northwest Alabama. See you there.



Shoalanda