Law Student’s Murderer Gets Life in Prison

Jordan Wallick was only 15 when he and his friends approached law student James Wallmuth III who was sitting on a park bench talking to his girlfriend. In what was intended to be a robbery, Wallick accidentally pulled the trigger, killing Wallmuth. This Thursday, a jury in York County found Wallick guilty of second degree murder, robbery, and conspiracy to commit robbery. Wallick, now 17, is set to spend the rest of his life in prison.

“Five weeks from tomorrow…” Wallmuth’s father began, stopping to fight the tears stopped as he became overcome with emotion.

“He would have graduated from law school,” Wallmuth’s mother finished.

Wallmuth is described as a “pure victim” since unlike most crimes in the area, his was not related to drugs or gangs, and he did nothing to put himself in unnecessary risk.

“We deeply appreciate the tireless efforts of the district attorney’s office and attorneys Comery and [Lishani] Sunday,” said Wallmuth’s father. “I won’t say [the case] consumed us,” but he said it was ever on their minds.

Wallmuth was 28 at the time of his death. He had worked in the York County District Attorney’s Office for four years case managing, and then left his job to attend law school at the University of Pittsburgh. While talking at a park bench at 11 p.m. he was approached by Wallick, and when he tried to slap the gun out of Wallick’s hand, Wallmuth was shot dead.