Family and friends of Mark Wallace fear killer could be freed from Washington State prison click for article

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Please consider signing and commenting on this petition to keep Mark's killer from being set free. For Mark. For all of us.

Background:

Nearly 40 years ago, Mark Wallace was murdered in the family’s home in Issaquah. Mark was just 14 years old when he was killed by his older brother’s friend, John H. Schoenhals.

Prosecutors argued that Schoenhals and a friend were attempting to steal guns and other valuables from the Wallace family’s home when they found and captured Mark Wallace — handcuffing and killing him to eliminate witnesses of the crime.

In 1985, Schoenhals, then age 20, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after a jury found him guilty of killing Mark Wallace with a knife. Now, because of a landmark Washington Supreme Court  case citing immature brain development in young offenders, those 18 to 22, it is now considered unconstitutional to sentence these adult murderers to “automatic” or mandatory “life without possibility of parole.” 38 years later the killer is now up for possible re-sentencing, which means he could go free. While criminal justice reform does seem noble, we believe it should be done carefully, and not at the expense of public safety and the re-traumatization of victims.

We, the undersigned, believe John H. Schoenhals should serve out his life prison term. For Mark, Mark's family and friends, and the safety of the community at large.