State Ex Rel. Taylor v. Steele

MARY R. RUSSELL, Judge.

Michael Anthony Taylor pleaded guilty to the 1989 kidnapping, rape, and murder of a young girl. He twice was sentenced to death for the murder.1 After multiple unsuccessful attempts to have his sentence overturned, he now seeks a writ of habeas corpus, arguing that his death sentence should be vacated. He contends that his death sentence was imposed unlawfully by a judge, rather than by a jury, and he asserts that his sentence violates his constitutional rights.

This Court finds that habeas relief is not warranted and refuses to vacate Taylor’s death sentence.2

I.…