WASHINGTON — Montgomery County prosecutors will seek life in prison, with no chance of parole for Tyler Tessier, who will stand trial in the murder of his pregnant girlfriend, Laura Wallen.
Court records confirm prosecutors will seek Maryland’s most severe penalty for Tessier, when he goes on trial in April 2018.
Wallen taught at Wilde Lake High School, in Columbia. Police believe she was killed Sept. 3. An autopsy showed she was shot in the back of the head.
Prosecutors have not said why they believe Tessier killed Wallen. She was aware he was romantically-involved with other women.
After he was indicted in October, State’s Attorney John McCarthy said Tessier would not face additional charges in the death of Wallen’s fetus.
“Her child was autopsied, and a medical team determined at the time of Miss Wallen’s murder, the child was 14 weeks old,” McCarthy said on Oct. 13. “Based on medical testimony, the child was not viable, independent of Miss Wallen.”
Tessier’s next court appearance is scheduled for February, ahead of his April 9, 2018 trial.
