The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Staff, Wire Reports

Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 06:34 PM

Trial Date Set For Man Accused Of Killing Knoxville Cheerleader

William Riley Gaul appeared in court Wednesday. His trial date on charges related to the death of 16-year-old Emma Walker was set for April 30. It had initially been scheduled for December 4.

Gaul was previously indicted on charges of first degree murder, especially aggravated stalking, theft, tampering with evidence, reckless endangerment, employing a firearm during a dangerous felony, and felony murder charges.

Investigators said that on November 21, 2016, Gaul fired a gun into Walker's bedroom while she was asleep, killing the Central High School cheerleader.

The Knox County Sheriff's Office reported that Walker had broken off a relationship with Gaul two weeks before they said he fired a 9 mm handgun into Walker's bedroom.

Gaul was a freshman wide receiver and student at Maryville College, while Walker was a cheerleader and honors student at Central High School in Knoxville.

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