He Got Whopped...Coulda Got Shot
Comment by nunn: This story appeared on one of the Dallas news stations on 6-8-07. They showed the guy's mug photo only briefly, but it looked to me as though the entire left side of his face was swollen and turning purple.
I reckon the officer chose to wrestle the guy down rather than shoot him, and he got skint up a bit.
I looked and the only story I could find online was in the Sulphur Springs paper, and it had no picture. If any of you find the picture, feel free to add it.
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Yantis attorney charged with attempted capital murder
By FAITH HUFFMAN | News-Telegram News Editor
June 8, 2007 - A 65-year-old Yantis attorney was arrested this week for attempted capitol murder of a sheriff's deputy, according to District Attorney Martin Braddy.
The incident which led to Herbert Randolph "Randy" Taylor's arrest Wednesday is still being investigated by Hopkins County Sheriff's Office, and Texas Ranger Phillip Kemp is expected to be called in, as well.
"Any time there's a murder or an attempt of this nature, we generally ask the Ranger to get involved," Braddy said.
He said neither his past professional dealings with Taylor nor the defendant's profession will garner any special treatment.
The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. HCSO Deputy Dennis Findley first encountered Taylor while en route to an unrelated theft call on State Highway 11 east, according to Braddy.
After Findley arrived at the SH 11 location to take a report, an orange 1985 Chevrolet Corvette pulled in behind his patrol vehicle. The driver, Taylor, exited the vehicle and approached Findley, according to arrest reports.
"I inquired as to the reason he stopped. The driver was unsteady on his feet and seemed to be incoherent," Findley noted of the incident on Taylor's arrest report. "The driver returned to his vehicle stating he was going to get his gun. I observed the driver remove a stainless finish style revolver from the center console. Upon seeing the firearm, I attempted to subdue the above driver. The driver resisted as I attempted to arrest him and I was assisted by citizens."
Taylor, after being advised he was under arrest for attempted murder of a peace officer with a firearm, was then taken to Hopkins County Memorial Hospital.
Braddy said he was unclear whether Taylor was injured during the SH 11 incident or treated for preexisting health issues. He said officials will likely subpoena Taylor's medical records to discern what he was treated for and why he was hospitalized overnight, as they received little information from the hospital due to patient confidentiality regulations.
"From personal experience, I know he's had health issues he's been dealing with for a few years," Braddy said.
A search warrant was obtained and served Wednesday requiring hospital personnel to test Taylor's blood for drugs and alcohol.
"His behavior led us to be concerned drugs or alcohol might be involved," Braddy explained.
Taylor was released from the hospital Thursday morning, and taken to the county jail, where he was booked for attempted capital murder. However, it's possible the charge could be changed to attempted aggravated assault on a peace officer.
As the investigation progresses, authorities will consider the charge to determine "if it's the appropriate charge," if another charge would be more fitting, or if other action is required. "We'll look at everything else and get to the bottom of everything that happened. We're still getting witness statements, Braddy noted.
Taylor was arraigned and released later Thursday from county jail after Easy Bail Bonds secured the $100,000 bond set for the charge.
According to information from the State Bar of Texas, Taylor is a local attorney, located in Yantis. He has been a defense attorney in cases in area counties, including Hopkins County. He holds a bachelor's of law degree from the University of Texas, and is certified through Texas Board of Legal Specification Certifications in criminal law, civil trial law and personal injury trial law, including at the following federal courts: U.S. Supreme Court, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and Texas Northern District Court. He also practiced law in Dallas at one time.
I reckon the officer chose to wrestle the guy down rather than shoot him, and he got skint up a bit.
I looked and the only story I could find online was in the Sulphur Springs paper, and it had no picture. If any of you find the picture, feel free to add it.
=======================
Yantis attorney charged with attempted capital murder
By FAITH HUFFMAN | News-Telegram News Editor
June 8, 2007 - A 65-year-old Yantis attorney was arrested this week for attempted capitol murder of a sheriff's deputy, according to District Attorney Martin Braddy.
The incident which led to Herbert Randolph "Randy" Taylor's arrest Wednesday is still being investigated by Hopkins County Sheriff's Office, and Texas Ranger Phillip Kemp is expected to be called in, as well.
"Any time there's a murder or an attempt of this nature, we generally ask the Ranger to get involved," Braddy said.
He said neither his past professional dealings with Taylor nor the defendant's profession will garner any special treatment.
The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. HCSO Deputy Dennis Findley first encountered Taylor while en route to an unrelated theft call on State Highway 11 east, according to Braddy.
After Findley arrived at the SH 11 location to take a report, an orange 1985 Chevrolet Corvette pulled in behind his patrol vehicle. The driver, Taylor, exited the vehicle and approached Findley, according to arrest reports.
"I inquired as to the reason he stopped. The driver was unsteady on his feet and seemed to be incoherent," Findley noted of the incident on Taylor's arrest report. "The driver returned to his vehicle stating he was going to get his gun. I observed the driver remove a stainless finish style revolver from the center console. Upon seeing the firearm, I attempted to subdue the above driver. The driver resisted as I attempted to arrest him and I was assisted by citizens."
Taylor, after being advised he was under arrest for attempted murder of a peace officer with a firearm, was then taken to Hopkins County Memorial Hospital.
Braddy said he was unclear whether Taylor was injured during the SH 11 incident or treated for preexisting health issues. He said officials will likely subpoena Taylor's medical records to discern what he was treated for and why he was hospitalized overnight, as they received little information from the hospital due to patient confidentiality regulations.
"From personal experience, I know he's had health issues he's been dealing with for a few years," Braddy said.
A search warrant was obtained and served Wednesday requiring hospital personnel to test Taylor's blood for drugs and alcohol.
"His behavior led us to be concerned drugs or alcohol might be involved," Braddy explained.
Taylor was released from the hospital Thursday morning, and taken to the county jail, where he was booked for attempted capital murder. However, it's possible the charge could be changed to attempted aggravated assault on a peace officer.
As the investigation progresses, authorities will consider the charge to determine "if it's the appropriate charge," if another charge would be more fitting, or if other action is required. "We'll look at everything else and get to the bottom of everything that happened. We're still getting witness statements, Braddy noted.
Taylor was arraigned and released later Thursday from county jail after Easy Bail Bonds secured the $100,000 bond set for the charge.
According to information from the State Bar of Texas, Taylor is a local attorney, located in Yantis. He has been a defense attorney in cases in area counties, including Hopkins County. He holds a bachelor's of law degree from the University of Texas, and is certified through Texas Board of Legal Specification Certifications in criminal law, civil trial law and personal injury trial law, including at the following federal courts: U.S. Supreme Court, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and Texas Northern District Court. He also practiced law in Dallas at one time.
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Bet those cops will cross all their T's and dot all their i's on this one.
There have been a few peace officers I've known over the years that needed shootin'! (A few lawyers, too!)0 -
Aw jeez...
I remember this same guy getting busted down in Tyler, Tx back in the late 80's. He was in the middle of a trial defending a client on drug charges and during a lunch recess was observed doing meth in his car out in the parking lot.
I'd bet his lab results are going to be interesting.0 -
quote:Originally posted by mateomasfeo
Bet those cops will cross all their T's and dot all their i's on this one.
There have been a few peace officers I've known over the years that needed shootin'! (A few lawyers, too!)
Maybe I've led a sheltered life but I've never been lit up by a cop unless I was doing something wrong or suspicious. With two exceptions all of the cops were professional. Maybe it's because folks in Georgia are usually laid back anyways. I think also it's because I am respectful- yes sir/mam and do exactly as I'm told. One time I was profiled because I matched a shooting suspect. I was ordered out of the car, hands on the roof and cuffed. As soon as I was cleared the officer thanked me for complying and wished me a good day.
Have run against some nasty lawyers but I guess they get paid for being that way.0 -
Suicide attempt? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by SaxonPig
Suicide attempt?Nah. He's just seriously squirrelly and has always been known for bizarre judgement calls.
I once saw him needlessly drag out a meth lab trial for 3 months. Two of the jurors who ran their own businesses sat and watched themslves slowly slide into bankruptcy due to his antics. What sort of verdict do you expect he got from those folks?
By the time it was over they were ready to convict everyone seated at the defense table.0 -
Something similar happened here in my small town this week. Guy went crazy and started shooting at cops. Cops returned fire on the guy killing him, right on the town square in the middle of the day.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20077060803580 -
Only $100k on a capital murder charge? In the land of Fruit and Nuts that would be $1 mil. 0 -
I don't know anything more about what happened here 'cept what's posted...
did he point his gun at the cop?
was he messed up, thought now that he's talking to this cop (for whatever reason) he's supposed to make the cop aware of the gun he has in his car?
perhaps the cop decided using his weapon wasn't necessary because this guy was too snockered?
just what was the guy trying to accomplish?0 -
He just wanted to be part of the posse. [:p][;)] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by p3skyking
He just wanted to be part of the posse. [:p][;)]
I believe you've hit on the defense strategy!
[:D]
Allen0 -
Hey, this scumbag is a lawyer[xx(]. Too bad the Deputy did not blow his empty head off!! 0
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