Jury Convicts Man in Killings of 9 Women

CHARLOTTE, N.C. —  Henry Louis Wallace was convicted Tuesday of the rapes and serial killings of nine women, including friends and co-workers at a fast-food restaurant.

Wallace, 31, was convicted of 27 felonies in all, including nine counts of first-degree murder, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. He also was convicted of one misdemeanor.

Wallace showed little emotion while the verdicts were read, sitting quietly and looking at papers, and then putting a hand on his forehead.

George Burrell, a cousin of victim Brandi Henderson, wept quietly while the verdicts were read.

“I’m just glad it’s finally over. I’m real exhausted,” Burrell said later.

“I still see no remorse,” said Vanessa Jumper-Sumter, sister of victim Valencia Jumper. “He didn’t seem upset to me, even after they found him guilty.”

“I am numb. My heart is beyond pain,” said Dee Sumpter, whose daughter Shawna Hawk was among the victims.

Wallace did not testify, but jurors heard the chilling recordings of his confession to homicide investigators.

Wallace, 31, admitted raping and killing the women from 1992 into 1994. Seven were strangled and two were stabbed.

The same jury that convicted Wallace will meet again Monday to begin hearing evidence for the sentencing phase and decide whether he should be executed or serve life in prison.

Prosecutors say Wallace deserves to be executed because he was a calculating, coldblooded killer who hid his crimes by meticulously cleaning murder scenes.