And from politics to court news......Another accused killer walked free today. 22 year old Joseph Bishop was on trial for the murder of Julian Serrano Casimiro, the former driver of Works Minister Anthony Boots Martinez. Casmirio was gunned down in June of 2007 in a yard on Guerrero Street.
The case against Bishop crumbled when the main witness, Rachel Wallace refused to testify. She told as much to the DPP’s Office. This morning Prosecutor Nadine Palacio entered a nolle pros but it wasn’t end of the story for Rachel Wallace. She had to show up in court because Justice Adolph Lucas issued a bench warrant for her arrest, as he would for any subpoenaed person who fails to appear. And so when she didn’t yesterday, she ended up in jail.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Rachel Wallace and her ten month old baby girl look like the picture perfect family but this young mother spent the night in jail because she refused to
testify against this accused killer - Joseph Bishop. Her mother Irene Wallace says her daughter feared for her life.
Irene Wallace, Mother of Rachel Wallace
“She was scared and then she was also afraid and then she had been threatened and then being my daughter I won’t say she was perfect or anything but then I had lost two sons already also and then she was afraid of maybe them killing her or doing something wrong to her.”
Keith Swift,
And so she had to leave her daughter last night?
Irene Wallace,
“Well she had to take the baby with her last night and I was the one that had to go to the police station last night and bring home the baby.”
Keith Swift,
So they detained her along with her baby?
Irene Wallace,
“Yes they did. She was being like forced not to testify.”
Keith Swift,
In what ways? Was she being verbally threatened, phone calls?
Irene Wallace,
“Well she had gotten calls and next people telling her different things and stuff like that and even like one time she told me about a vehicle that was stalking her.”
And Irene who has lost two sons – has little confidence in a justice system that has failed her twice.
Alfonso Noble, Guardian Newspaper
“Do you think these people would have been able to actually kill your daughter?
Irene Wallace,
“Well they are capable of anything. They are capable of any any thing so you never know what will happen.”
Rachel Wallace was held overnight and released this morning after Joseph Bishop was told he was free to go. It is important to note that Rachel Wallace was the main witness and also a victim as she too was injured. She was in the yard along with Serrano when a man rode pass on a bike and opened fire. She ran home and that is when she realized she had been shot. She positively identified Bishop in a police lineup. Joseph Bishop is free now but because it was nolle pros, he can be rearrested at any time.
