Anthony Cloud
Staff Writer
The William Taylor murder trial continued on Tuesday afternoon. One witness who spent a substantial amount of time on the stand was Joe King, of Clairfield. King testified Brian Hatfield, 35, of Frakes, told him about the incident when Taylor was assaulted, which led to his ultimate death.
King testified that Hatfield said he hit Taylor three or four times because Taylor kept “coming at him.” King said Hatfield described the scene as bloody. King also said Hatfield told him the reason he quit hitting Taylor was because Taylor quit moving. This conversation allegedly occurred in a cemetery in Little White Oak in Tennessee.
King testified Hatfield had attempted to tell him information prior to the cemetery incident, but King did not want to hear about it.
King also testified during direct examination that he was a convicted felon. He was prosecuted by Commonwealth Attorney Karen Greene Blondell.
There was a combative atmosphere between King and the defense attorneys during cross-examination. Sam Cox, defense attorney for Candy Maiden, pointed out the fact that King did not come forward with the aforementioned statement for months after the alleged murder took place.
King eventually spoke to Kentucky State Police Det. Tyson Lawson about the case. King initiated contact with Lawson.
During cross-examination, King testified he was charged with burglary during the time he came forward with information about the alleged murder, but denied making a deal with the police.
King testified he served two years for the burglary charge he was facing at the time he came forward with the information.
King testified he knew Jeremy Evans from jail, where the two shared a cell together. King said he and Evans talked very little about the case during that time. The two spent a substantial amount of time sharing the same cell.
During the cross examination held by Brent Flowers, one of Hatfield’s defense attorneys, he brought to light something which was recently introduced in the case. During direct examination, King testified at some point around the time of the alleged murder, Hatfield and Maiden came to his bar in Clairfield and asked him to reopen the bar after hours so they could get some change for $100 bills.
King testified Sunday was the first time he told that portion of the story to anyone.
Lawson was brought back to the stand during the day Tuesday. He testified he took photos of the crime scene the night the alleged assault happened. During his testimony, Blondell introduced the photos, which showed blood in the Taylor home around the living room, into evidence.
Three of the photos, exhibits 15 through 17, showed where Taylor’s phone lines were cut. Exhibit 17 showed the wire cutters used to cut the phone lines. Lawson also testified the case was turned over to him after KSP Det. Mitch Williams retired.
A 2003 Ford F-150 was also a topic of discussion during testimony on Tuesday. Williams testified the truck was taken in for evidence and sent to the Frankfort crime lab. The truck belonged to Ilene Evans, the grandmother of Jeremy Evans. It was believed the truck was seen on the night of the Taylor assault.
Amber Moore (Fuson) testified Debbie Partin and Hatfield were traveling in a truck that matched the description one day before the assault when Partin was trying to get change for a $100 bill. This happened the day prior to the alleged murder of Taylor, testified Moore.
Lonnie Lowe, who lives in Clairfield, testified Hatfield got out of a similar truck on Jan. 14 2008 between 11 and 11:30 p.m. at Lowe’s residence. He testified Hatfield was looking for “dope” and stated he had the money to buy some.
Lowe also testified, during cross-examination, Hatfield never said how much money he had. Hatfield allegedly just patted his pocket when he said he had the money.
The trial is scheduled to continue Wednesday.
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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