Craig Wall has been charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing of his girlfriend who had previously requested a restraining order against Waller. Laura Taft, a resident of the Tampa suburb of Clearwater, was found stabbed to death just days after the suspicious death of her 5 year-old-son while he was in the care of Wall. Wall's arrest for the death of Taft comes shortly after Wall was released on $1000 bail for violating a temporary domestic violence restraining order filed by Taft. The affidavit Taft filed in support of the domestic violence restraining order included a request that Wall be held without bail because he was a suspect in the death of Taft's son.
Wall was released from jail two years ago after being sentenced in 1994 for a conviction in which he threatened an elderly couple with a long-barreled handgun. He told the couple he was going to take their Ford Taurus parked in front of their home. Wall became a suspect in the death of Taft's son within hours of the boy being flown by helicopter to All Children's Hospital. Wall was the only adult with the child on the day the child was fatally injured. A CT scan that was taken at the hospital indicated that the boy had swelling on the left side of the brain. A physician at the hospital who examined the boy suspected the head injuries were caused by being shaken or thrown.
Court documents relating to the restraining order indicate that Wall said that he "was sorry that he did something to the baby" after the incident. Taft showed the videotape to a Clearwater police officer. Taft was subsequently granted the injunction two days after the boy was taken off of life support. When Wall drove to the church to attend the boy's funeral, Wall was arrested in the church parking lot. Police officials say Wall had not been arrested or charged in the boy's death because the investigation was not complete. Elizabeth Watts, Clearwater's public safety spokesman indicated it would have been premature to arrest Wall before the medical examiner reached an official ruling that the boy's death was a homicide. A preliminary examination showed the boy suffered broken ribs and brain trauma but forensics tests on the boy's eyes and brain were not complete.
Police and prosecutors take domestic violence charges very seriously especially where the victim suffers serious injuries or death. "A domestic violence conviction can lead to significant jail or prison time and permanent damage to one's reputation and standing in the community," said Tampa criminal defense attorney John Musca. If you are under investigation or have been arrested for domestic violence, it is imperative that you consult a qualified criminal lawyer.
Domestic violence is a damaging crime to have on your criminal record because of the stigma that comes with it.
Members of your community, current and future employers, family, where you may find that you are defending yourself outside of the courtroom, who may not know all of the facts. Instead they will simply be informed of the charge of domestic violence or a conviction, and stereotype you as an abuser. That is why the Tampa criminal defense lawyers at Musca Law will diligently work on your case in order to minimize the damage and work towards the best possible outcome. If you have been charged with domestic violence, call Musca Law immediately for a free consultation and to guide you in the direction that you need to be in.
