12/26/2022
In the early morning of December 24, 2011, William Wallace killed his wife, Za’Zell Preston, 26.
On Christmas morning, he placed her on the couch, in a sitting position, and opened presents with their children. Wallace received 15 years to life in prison.
The couple attended a party on Christmas Eve. When they returned home, neighbors reported hearing them argue.
The argument escalated and became physical, and Wallace hit Za’Zell in the head repeatedly. During the trial, one daughter (17 years old at the time) testified Wallace had pushed Za’Zell, causing her to fall through a glass table.
He then asked his daughter to pull glass pieces out of her mother’s body.
After, Wallace brought Za’Zell to the bathroom. The daughter would testify when he dropped her in the bathroom, Za’Zell’s head hit the toilet.
Wallace then brought her body to the bedroom, lying her down as if she were asleep. Wallace would sleep with her remains.
In the morning, Wallace brought the body to the living room and positioned Za’Zell so it appeared she was sitting, slumped, on the couch.
He put sunglasses on her and told his children that she had drank too much. One child would recall her mother being cold and hard when she touched her.
The Santa Maria Times quotes Wallace saying, “Mommy ruined Christmas. She got drunk and ruined Christmas.” Wallace recorded his children opening gifts.
Around 9:30 a.m., Wallace called 911 and told them his wife needed medical attention. When paramedics arrived at the home, they found Za’Zell on the couch.
Wallace’s trial took place in 2021 in an Orange County Superior courthouse.
The jury ultimately found Wallace guilty of second-degree murder on April 7, 2021. A judge sentenced him to 15 years to life in prison.
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