Post by Anja on Jun 9, 2006 1:58:46 GMT -5
federal death penalty to be sought
Feds To Seek Death Penalty Against Taylor In Guy Luck Murder----First
Death Penalty Case For Local Federal Court
Federal prosecutors have decided to seek the death penalty against Rejon
Taylor in the murder of Atlanta restaurant owner Guy Luck at Collegedale.
It apparently will be the first federal death penalty case in Chattanooga.
2 other young Atlanta men charged with the murder - Sir Jack Matthews and
Joey Montrez Marshall - have agreed to plead guilty and may testify
against Taylor.
Prosecutors said earlier they had decided not to seek the death penalty
against any of the defendants.
However, authorities said Taylor recently recruited other jail inmates in
an escape attempt at the Hamilton County Jail. The attempt was foiled, but
a correctional officer was injured.
Officials said Taylor obtained weapons for the escape try.
They said he "has failed to adapt his behavior to societal norms, thereby
demonstrating a significantly low rehabilitative potential" and has
demonstrated a lack of remorse for the crime.
They said he is a continuing escape risk.
Federal authorities said Taylor "is likely to commit in the future
criminal acts of violence that would be a continuing and serious threat to
the lives and safety of others."
Prosecutors are Steve Neff and Chris Poole.
Taylor is represented by attorneys Bill Ortwein and Howell Clements.
Approval for the death penalty had to go to the U.S. Attorney General.
The case, which was switched from Hamilton County Criminal Court, earlier
had been ruled "death eligible."
A Federal Grand Jury had indicted the trio for carjacking resulting in
death, firearms murder during and in relation to carjacking, and
kidnapping resulting in death.
According to an earlier hearing in state court, one of the defendants said
the plan was to let the victim out to find his way back to Atlanta, but he
was shot after he "jumped" them on Aug. 6, 2003.
County Detective Chris Chambers said Matthews said the 51-year-old Luck
was abducted at Buckhead in his white Econoline van. The plan was to drive
him north and let him out to find his own way back, it was stated.
He said Matthews stated they pulled off I-75 at Collegedale when Mr. Luck
"jumped" them.
The detective said Matthews stated that he turned and fired, striking the
victim in the right arm.
Matthews said Taylor also turned and fired several shots, including one
that grazed him (Matthews).
Detective Chambers said Matthews said it was a robbery plot and he got
$200 of the cash taken from the victim.
He said Matthews said that after the shooting, he and Taylor ran to a
maroon Impala that Marshall had driven up from Atlanta following them. He
said he was bleeding, and he lay in the floor in the back as they went
back to Atlanta.
Matthews said they went to Marshall's house, then Marshall and his
girlfriend dropped him off at Grady Hospital.
He said the guns were left in the van, and that, Detective Chambers said,
is where they were found.
Matthews said they wore gloves during the robbery.
Detective Chambers said the Impala was found partially stripped in
Atlanta. He said there was blood in the back.
He said a receipt was found where they had bought gas in Cartersville on
the way north toward Chattanooga that morning.
Detective Chambers said a resident in the neighborhood where the
restaurant operator was abducted had reported the Impala as a suspicious
vehicle that morning.
(source: The Chattanoogan)
Feds To Seek Death Penalty Against Taylor In Guy Luck Murder----First
Death Penalty Case For Local Federal Court
Federal prosecutors have decided to seek the death penalty against Rejon
Taylor in the murder of Atlanta restaurant owner Guy Luck at Collegedale.
It apparently will be the first federal death penalty case in Chattanooga.
2 other young Atlanta men charged with the murder - Sir Jack Matthews and
Joey Montrez Marshall - have agreed to plead guilty and may testify
against Taylor.
Prosecutors said earlier they had decided not to seek the death penalty
against any of the defendants.
However, authorities said Taylor recently recruited other jail inmates in
an escape attempt at the Hamilton County Jail. The attempt was foiled, but
a correctional officer was injured.
Officials said Taylor obtained weapons for the escape try.
They said he "has failed to adapt his behavior to societal norms, thereby
demonstrating a significantly low rehabilitative potential" and has
demonstrated a lack of remorse for the crime.
They said he is a continuing escape risk.
Federal authorities said Taylor "is likely to commit in the future
criminal acts of violence that would be a continuing and serious threat to
the lives and safety of others."
Prosecutors are Steve Neff and Chris Poole.
Taylor is represented by attorneys Bill Ortwein and Howell Clements.
Approval for the death penalty had to go to the U.S. Attorney General.
The case, which was switched from Hamilton County Criminal Court, earlier
had been ruled "death eligible."
A Federal Grand Jury had indicted the trio for carjacking resulting in
death, firearms murder during and in relation to carjacking, and
kidnapping resulting in death.
According to an earlier hearing in state court, one of the defendants said
the plan was to let the victim out to find his way back to Atlanta, but he
was shot after he "jumped" them on Aug. 6, 2003.
County Detective Chris Chambers said Matthews said the 51-year-old Luck
was abducted at Buckhead in his white Econoline van. The plan was to drive
him north and let him out to find his own way back, it was stated.
He said Matthews stated they pulled off I-75 at Collegedale when Mr. Luck
"jumped" them.
The detective said Matthews stated that he turned and fired, striking the
victim in the right arm.
Matthews said Taylor also turned and fired several shots, including one
that grazed him (Matthews).
Detective Chambers said Matthews said it was a robbery plot and he got
$200 of the cash taken from the victim.
He said Matthews said that after the shooting, he and Taylor ran to a
maroon Impala that Marshall had driven up from Atlanta following them. He
said he was bleeding, and he lay in the floor in the back as they went
back to Atlanta.
Matthews said they went to Marshall's house, then Marshall and his
girlfriend dropped him off at Grady Hospital.
He said the guns were left in the van, and that, Detective Chambers said,
is where they were found.
Matthews said they wore gloves during the robbery.
Detective Chambers said the Impala was found partially stripped in
Atlanta. He said there was blood in the back.
He said a receipt was found where they had bought gas in Cartersville on
the way north toward Chattanooga that morning.
Detective Chambers said a resident in the neighborhood where the
restaurant operator was abducted had reported the Impala as a suspicious
vehicle that morning.
(source: The Chattanoogan)