STEWART COUNTY, Tenn. (WTVF) — In a new twist to the Kirby Wallace case, investigators believe someone played the role of the mastermind behind one of the deadly incidents during Wallace's crime spree.
Wallace spent days on the run, was finally caught, and was then indicted for kidnapping, arson and murder.
The people of Stewart County are glad that Kirby Wallace is off the streets and behind bars. But there is a lingering concern that someone who helped him plan his murderous rampage last year is still at large.
The charges against Wallace include an ambush of Brenda And Teddy Smith at their home in Indian Mound. He's accused of tying the couple up, stabbing and killing Brenda and then shooting Teddy in the head before robbing them and setting the house of fire.
Teddy survived and identified Wallace as the attacker in court at the preliminary hearing late last year.
"Can you point him out for us? Right there," said Teddy Smith.
He saw only Wallace in the home during the attack but, now, Stewart County Sheriff Frankie Gray's thinking is that Wallace did not act alone.
"I think he had help planning it. I think he had help before he committed the robbery and the murder and he had help afterwards," said Sheriff Gray.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation recently indicted Derek Summers and Mindy Elaine Harris, charging them with accessory after the fact for allegedly helping Wallace while on the run.
But Sheriff Gray now believes someone else had to help Wallace plan the attack on the Smiths.
"There's too much knowledge about the Smiths and the Smith's home and I don't think he had that knowledge. There was no reason to have it without someone giving it to him," said Gray.
The sheriff said Wallace somehow knew when the Smiths would be gone and where exactly to look for their valuables. Sheriff Gray said it could be one or more accomplices and they need to be caught.
"They were party to this crime that led to robbery and murder and they need to be held accountable for it," said Gray.
At some point Wallace is expected to stand trial. The question is: Will he have a co-defendant who helped him plot his alleged crimes.
Both sheriff investigators and the TBI continue to investigate. A trial date for Wallace will be set at a hearing this July.
At that time, the District Attorney will also likely announce whether he'll seek the death penalty.
