William Riley Gaul, a former college football player who was convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend Emma Walker in 2016, has been in the spotlight recently after his appeal was denied by the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals. Gaul, who is serving a life sentence without parole, claimed that he did not intend to kill Walker, but only wanted to scare her into getting back together with him.
However, the court found that the evidence was sufficient to support his conviction of first-degree murder, especially aggravated stalking, and tampering with evidence.
But who are the parents of William Gaul, and what role did they play in his life and his crime? Here is what we know about his biological and step parents, based on the available information.
Read our recap of closing arguments in the William Riley Gaul trial: https://t.co/087IHMQTG1 #GaulTrial #RileyGaul @LawCrimeNetwork pic.twitter.com/5JiApV8UiI
— Aaron Keller (@Aaron_Keller_) May 8, 2018Biological Father and Mother: Kevin Gaul and Amy Gaul
William Riley Gaul was born on June 6, 1998, to Kevin Gaul and Amy Gaul. His parents divorced when he was a child, and he lived with his mother in Knoxville, Tennessee. He has a younger sister named Kaitlyn Gaul, who was 14 years old at the time of the murder.
According to the testimony of Amy Gaul, William Riley Gaul was a good student and athlete, who played football and basketball at Central High School. He was also involved in church activities and volunteered at a local nursing home. Amy Gaul said that her son was “kind, loving, and respectful” and that he had a close relationship with his sister.
Amy Gaul also said that she was aware of her son’s relationship with Emma Walker, who was a cheerleader at the same high school. She said that they dated for about two years, and that they broke up several times, but always got back together. She said that she liked Walker and that she treated her son well.
However, Amy Gaul also admitted that she noticed some changes in her son’s behavior in the fall of 2016, when he started his freshman year at Maryville College, where he was a wide receiver on the football team. She said that he became more distant, depressed, and suicidal, and that he told her that he was having trouble adjusting to college life and that he missed Walker.
Amy Gaul said that she tried to help her son by taking him to counseling, buying him a dog, and encouraging him to focus on his studies and his football career. She said that she was not aware of any stalking or harassment that her son was doing to Walker, and that she was shocked and devastated when she learned that he was accused of killing her.
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Stepfather: Benjamin Donilon
Benjamin Seth Donilon, also known as Ben Donilon, is the stepfather of William Riley Gaul. He married Amy Gaul in 2014, when William was 16 years old. He is a former White House communications director, who served under President Barack Obama from 2011 to 2013. He is also a political consultant and a co-founder of the strategic communications firm WestExec Advisors.
According to the testimony of Benjamin Donilon, he remained involved in Gaul’s life after his marriage to Amy Gaul, and that he treated him as his own son. He said that he was proud of William Gaul’s achievements in academics and sports, and that he supported him in his college aspirations.
Benjamin Donilon also said that he was aware of Riley Gaul’s relationship with Emma Walker, and that he met her several times. He said that he liked her and that she seemed to be a good influence on William. He said that he was not aware of any problems or conflicts that they had, and that he was surprised when he learned that they had broken up.
Benjamin Donilon also said that he noticed some signs of distress in William Riley Gaul in the fall of 2016, and that he tried to help him by talking to him and giving him advice. He said that he was concerned about Riley Gaul’s mental health and well-being, and that he urged him to seek professional help. He said that he was not aware of any stalking or violence that William was doing to Walker, and that he was horrified and heartbroken when he learned that he was charged with her murder.
Football Player William Riley Gaul Found Guilty in Murder of Cheerleader Emma Jane Walker https://t.co/gtk1pHj6YP pic.twitter.com/yiDkSm4Cy1
— Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) May 8, 2018William Riley Gaul, who is now 25 years old, is currently incarcerated at the Morgan County Correctional Complex in Wartburg, Tennessee. He has maintained his innocence and has expressed remorse for his actions. He has also appealed his conviction to the Tennessee Supreme Court, hoping to get a new trial.
His parents, Amy Gaul and Kevin Gaul, and his stepfather, Benjamin Donilon, have stood by him throughout his legal ordeal, and have visited him in prison. They have also testified on his behalf, and have asked the court for leniency and mercy. They have said that they love him and that they believe that he is not a monster, but a troubled young man who made a terrible mistake.
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Emma Walker’s parents, Mark Walker and Jill Walker, and her brother, Evan Walker, have also spoken out about their loss and their pain. They have said that Emma Walker was a bright, beautiful, and compassionate person, who had a promising future ahead of her. They have also said that they want justice for their daughter and sister, and that they hope that William Riley Gaul will never get out of prison.
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