William Simmons will spend the better part of the next 8 years behind bars for manslaughter in the 1996 death of Ruch teen Kaelin Glazier. He’s already served nearly two years.
It was an emotional scene inside the Jackson County Courthouse.
“I have chosen because of my personal religious beliefs to forgive Bill.”
Kim Waller’s daughter, Kaelin Glazier, went missing in 1996, her body not found until 2008… across the street from William Simmons former home.
Last month a jury of his peers convicted Simmons of manslaughter in Glazier’s death.
“I don’t want you to bear with this burden but I do want you to get right with God.”
After Waller’s powerful speech, Judge Benjamin Bloom handed down the sentence… surprising no one.
“You will be sentenced under Measure-11 to the mandatory sentence of 120 months with the Oregon Department of Corrections.”
Quick on thier feet, Simmons defense team formally introduced a motion they’ve been talking about for a month… requesting a new trial based on testimony from a witness who just recently came forward.
“We received an email from Ms. Serena Beach, she had had conversations with Mr. Robert Glazier. “
Robert Glazier, though not Kaelin’s biological father, was married to Kim Waller when Kaelin was born.
The defense says Ms. Beach heard something interesting from Robert Glazier – before Kaelin’s body was discovered.
“The gist of it is he was with Kaelin when she came into the world and he was with her when she went out of this world.”
Prosecutors have 30 days to respond to the motion of a new trial… and declined our request for for comment, meanwhile the defense team is confident.
“It should be granted, based upon the fact that this is evidence that would change the trial strategy completely.”
Waller, surrounded by her loved ones didn’t want to speculate on the potential of a new trial… saying she just wants to finally give her daughter a proper burial.
“My only hope is that the community be kept safe and that some horrible tragedy like this does not happen again.”
While this new trial motion is being reviewed Simmons will stay where he’s been for nearly 2 years, in Jackson County Jail… that’s also where he celebrated his 32nd birthday yesterday.
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