Expat tried to hire hitman to kill ex

A MAN from Walsall has been jailed in the United States for trying to hire a hitman to kill his ex-wife

William John Wallace, 36, who lives in Santa Ana, California, tried to have his ex-wife killed during the course of family court proceedings, the Orange County District Attorney (DA) said.

The 36-year-old, originally from Walsall, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted murder and two counts of solicitation to commit murder.

Wallace struck a rare plea deal with prosecutors as jurors were deliberating in his case and he was jailed for nine years.

In 2013, Wallace and his estranged partner were engaged in a child custody battle, and Wallace hired a private investigator to dig up negative information about the victim.

Wallace then told the private investigator he wanted his ex-wife killed and asked the investigator if he knew of anyone who would murder her.

The investigator reported him to police, and in December 2013, Wallace met an undercover detec- tive from the Orange County Sheriff ’s Department posing as a hitman.

The defendant offered to pay 30,000 dollars and showed the undercover detective a photograph of the victim.

No money was exchanged but Wallace was arrested with 4,000 US dollars on him as he was leaving the car park.

His defence had argued during his trial that he could not be convicted of attempted murder or solicitation because he never paid anyone or made an actual deal.