Anthony Cloud
Staff Writer
The William Taylor murder trial continued on Wednesday. A witness who lives in the Chenoa community testified that Debbie Partin had a role in the alleged assault and murder of Taylor.
Francis Partin, no relation to Debbie Partin, said during a conversation she had with Debbie Partin, Debbie Partin said she cut the phone cords to Taylor’s house the night he was allegedly assaulted.
Francis Partin testified Debbie Partin came on private property and asked for a ride to Middlesboro because “Brian”, believed to be Debbie Partin’s husband, was having seizures.
Francis Partin testified she told Debbie Partin she would take her where she needed to go. She also testified she and Debbie Partin got into Francis Partin’s vehicle. Francis Partin drove Debbie Partin to the end of the driveway, which belonged to Francis Partin.
Francis Partin testified she then proceeded to call the Bell County Sheriff’s Department. At some point during the conversation prior to the phone call to the police, Debbie Partin told Francis Partin about the night Taylor was allegedly assaulted.
“(Debbie Partin) said she cut the phone cord when she heard him say he was calling the cops,” said Francis Partin. The “him” in the previous statement was never clarified.
Francis Partin testified Debbie Partin said the only thing she did was cut the phone cord. “I told her she was as guilty as the rest of them, whoever they were,” said Francis Partin.
Francis Partin also testified Debbie Partin said the gash on Taylor’s head came from Taylor falling into a cabinet.
During cross-examination, Stephanie McKeehan, attorney for Debbie Partin, pointed out that Francis Partin said she and Debbie Partin waited for the police for three hours and the police never showed. McKeehan also pointed out Francis Partin did not take Debbie Partin to the police after they did not show.
Francis Partin testified she did not like Debbie’s actions and referred to her as “trash” at one point during testimony.
Melissa Brown, who works at the Kentucky State Police crime lab in Frankfort, testified she tested for blood inside the Ford F-150 that was believed to be seen the night of the alleged assault.
Brown testified there was male and female DNA found inside the truck, but none of it was from Taylor. No names were given for who the DNA belonged to.
Brown also testified she tested a shirt from Jeremy Evans and found a mixture of substance, but none of the DNA belonged to Taylor.
Tapes from Debbie Partin’s interrogation were also played for the jury. The tapes have Debbie Partin admitting to picking up the wire cutters outside of Taylor’s home but days prior to the alleged assault.
On the tape, Debbie Partin also admits to going into Taylor’s home after his alleged assault. She claimed she went to his house and saw bloody towels on the floor as she looked through a window.
Debbie Partin said she pushed in the back door because she was worried about Taylor. On the tape, when asked by police, Debbie Partin did say she believed Brian Hatfield and Candy Maiden could be responsible for the assault on Taylor.
The trial is scheduled to continue today.
It is alleged that Taylor was brutally beaten during the robbery at his home in the early morning hours of Jan. 15, 2008.
After the robbers fled, Taylor walked more than 100 yards to the nearest neighbor’s house for help.
Taylor was sent to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where he was initially admitted to the Intensive Care unit. Taylor’s condition was briefly upgraded to stable before being downgraded.
His injuries claimed his life approximately one week after the attack.
Reach Anthony Cloud at 606-248-1010, ext. 208, acloud@civitasmedia.com
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