In November, word broke that a college football player was facing a $750,000 bond associated with a charge of first-degree murder. Weeks later, that accused played is now free on bond, as former Maryville College wide receiver William Gaul posted a staggering $1 million bond on Monday.
James Satterfield and Hayes Hickman of the Knoxville News Sentinel bring word that Gaul has been released and the 18-year-old will reportedly be forced to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet as he awaits trial. The full document of his indictment is available but, in short, it alleges that Gaul both stalked and killed a 16-year-old cheerleader named Emma Jane Walker back in November.
This is, of course, a brutal story at every level and, according to the report, Gaul was contemplating suicide prior to the incident occurring:
Gaul talked of suicide to family members in the days before the shooting, according to a search warrant. That alarmed Gaul's grandfather James Walker when he swapped vehicles briefly with Gaul on Nov. 18. When Gaul returned the vehicle, James Walker discovered that the pistol he kept under the driver's seat was missing.
As of now, the court date for Gaul's arraignment is scheduled for Feb. 13 and further information will be available at that point.
