Dustin Wallace, who received two life sentences without the possibility of parole, could be released from custody next month under Democrat Senate Bill 1008.
An Oregon father whose 5-year-old daughter was raped and killed by Dustin Wallace in 2010 is asking for help to prevent the release of his child's killer. Wallace, who received two life sentences without the possibility of parole, could be released from custody next month under Democrat Senate Bill 1008, which allows convicted inmates who committed crimes while under the age of 18 to have their prison sentences reduced.
Wallace killed the young child, Sahara Dwight, when he was 16 years old. His release hearing has been scheduled for June 3.
Tyler Dwight, the victim's father, recently published a heartbreaking video on social media urging authorities to prevent Wallace's release.
https://twitter.com/KatieDaviscourt/status/2057854512090767667?s=20
"This cannot happen," Dwight said, holding back tears. "I'm asking anybody and everyone who has a voice, who's willing to help in any way. Please let's not let this guy, this monster, this psychopath, be set free. He had taken my baby girl in a way that's unimaginable. And I've dealt with this pain for almost 16 years."
Wallace was tried as an adult and convicted in 2012 on charges including aggravated murder and rape. The judge at the time cited the extreme nature of the crime and the danger Wallace posed to the public. The killing occurred on July 9, 2010, in Roseburg, Oregon. Wallace suffocated the 5-year-old child while sexually assaulting her; she was discovered dead in her bedroom, according to reports.
SB 1008 was signed into law by former Oregon Democrat Governor Kate Brown in 2019. The legislation eliminates life-without-parole sentences for offenders who committed their crimes before age 18 and creates a pathway for sentence reviews and reductions.
Dwight said the release hearing will focus on Wallace's rehabilitation rather than re-litigating the facts of the case. The father explained that evaluations have reportedly deemed Wallace a low risk of re-offending in terms of killing, but a medium risk of sexually assaulting others. "There's a high probability that he's going to be released," said Dwight.
Still, the father insisted that the man who took his daughter's life should never walk free. He urged others to speak up on behalf of his slain kid. "She doesn't have a voice anymore. Let's be her voice. I wanna be her voice."
A petition has been created to prevent Wallace's release. It can be found here.
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