VAN BUREN COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A Van Buren County Judge has declared a mistrial in the Troy Taylor murder trial, but there has also been a quick turnaround on a plea deal, so there is a resolution in the case.
Taylor, rather than put his children through another trial has agreed to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter in exchange for having a second degree murder count and six other charges dropped.
The deal came after the jury reported that they were hopelessly deadlocked.
Taylor shot Tim Henley, his ex-wife’s boyfriend, in Gobles back in June after they had been arguing and Henley punched out the driver’s side window on Taylor’s car while Taylor’s children sat in the back.
Taylor claimed self-defense. The Prosecution went for second degree murder. The Jury was split.
Taylor could get anything up to 7 years in prison when he is sentenced on February 4th.
(copy written by John McNeill)
