The Murder of Tyrone Taylor

For this case, I watched an episode of Snapped. It’s season 10, episode 22.

A 28-year-old father and husband is killed after a night out.

Background

In 2004, Tyrone Taylor, who was 20 at the time, met an older woman named Keisha Jones. They became inseparable, going on dates, and on trips together.

Keisha had two kids from a previous relationship, and Tyrone was a great second dad to them. The couple soon had two kids of their own, and got married in Las Vegas, in April 2008.

Tyrone was described as an amazing father, who would do anything for his kids.

An Accident or Murder?

On November 27, 2011, around 2am, a 911 call was placed to the Philadelphia police. The caller said that a car had just hit a pedestrian in the 2400 block of Morris Street.

When the police arrived, Keisha Jones was kneeling in some broken glass, over the body of her husband. Tyrone was pronounced dead at the scene.

Keisha’s car had jumped the curb, hit a town house, and pinned Tyrone against the building. It appeared as if Keisha had driven at a high rated speed. The airbags were out, and the front bumper had severe damage from hitting the wall. The impact of Tyrone hitting the wall caused his immediate death.

Keisha had minor injuries from kneeling in the broken glass, and had to be treated before the police could speak to her.

A Witness

The police did have one witness that had seen the whole crash. It was Keisha’s cousin Tamara, who had been out with Keisha and Tyrone that night, and in the backseat of the car.

Tamara said she and Keisha had gone out to a bar for some drinks. Tyrone arrived at the bar awhile later, and had a few drinks of his own. Tamara said that they were all having a good time, until Keisha and Tyrone got into an argument.

The argument continued on in the car. Tyrone was driving, while Keisha was in the passenger seat. Tamara said they turned onto Morris Street, and that Tyrone pulled over, got out, and slammed the door.

Tamara said Keisha jumped into the drivers seat, and all of the sudden, the car accelerated. Tamara said she saw Tyrone get hit, and that she screamed at Keisha about what she had just done.

Tamara said Keisha had no idea that she hit Tyrone, until she backed up, and ran towards Tyrone.

Keisha’s Story

By 10am that morning, Keisha had been treated, and was taken to the police station for questioning.

Keisha had to calm down before the police could speak to her. She was cooperative, and her story seemed to match Tamara’s. That was until she told the police what she and Tyrone had been arguing about.

Keisha told the police that Tyrone got upset because she had talked to another man at the bar. Keisha said Tyrone had got out of the car because she asked him to, but didn’t think he’d actually do it. Keisha said she didn’t realize the car was moving until she had hit the wall. Keisha tried to hit the brake, but hit the accelerator instead, due to the high heels she had been wearing.

While Keisha was being questioned, a team of investigators were out canvassing the area. They hit the jackpot when they found two surveillance cameras from a deli that was across the street from where the crime took place.

The Surveillance Footage

The surveillance footage turned out to be grainy, but damning.

In the video, Keisha’s car can be seen pulling up in the intersection. Tyrone gets out, and appears to be angry. Tyrone only takes a few steps, until the car, now being driven by Keisha, swerves. Tyrone tried to run, but can actually be seen being lifted onto the hood of the car, and into the wall.

It’s a truly frightening video, and is very similar to the See No Evil episode I wrote about a few weeks ago. Keisha’s claims were disputed. The police now didn't believe she didn’t see Tyrone until later.

That evening, Keisha Jones was charged with the murder of her husband.

The Trial and Conviction

On January 25, 2012, at Keisha’s preliminary hearing, her defense wanted to make a deal. They tried to argue voluntary manslaughter, while the prosecution asked for third degree murder, which could’ve been a 15-30 year sentence.

Keisha said 15-30 years was too long to be away from her kids, and rejected the deal. Her trial began on October 23, 2012.

The prosecution painted Keisha as a woman who wanted her husband dead. They had the damning surveillance footage, and the testimony of Keisha’s cousin Tamara.

On the stand, Tamara repeated her original story. However, she added one more small detail. She said that Tyrone had accused Keisha of cheating on him. The prosecution said her anger and the fact that had been drinking, had caused her to make a rash decision that night.

Keisha’s defense argued that Keisha had tried to move her car away from Tyrone, not that she initially swerved to hit him. They also argued that her motor skills were off due to her high blood alcohol level.

Keisha testified, and as she did, she held a picture of Tyrone. She broke down, and had to stop to compose herself.

On October 26, 2012, Keisha was found guilty of first degree murder, which is means a mandatory life sentence in the state of Pennsylvania.

Other

Tyrone’s father was given custody of Tyrone and Keisha's two children.

James Hayes’, Keisha’s ex-boyfriend, was given custody of their two kids together.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I truly don’t think Keisha intended to kill her husband that night. I do believe with the prosecution though, the surveillance footage shows that Keisha accelerated into Tyrone. I believe alcohol and their fight caused her to make a rash decision. Sadly, several kids lost their mother and father, and a family lost their son, brother, etc.

The surveillance footage is in the episode, or on YouTube, if you watch from 0:40-0:58 seconds. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_pq898Zx_Y

Sources

https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/breaking/20121026_Wife_found_guilty_in_car-crush_murder.html

https://whyy.org/articles/pa-woman-found-guilty-of-first-degree-murder-for-pinning-husband-with-car/

https://www.oxygen.com/snapped/photos/episode-22-keisha-jones#297661

https://www.leagle.com/decision/inpaco20140815a32

https://www.thereporteronline.com/2012/10/26/pa-woman-guilty-of-intentionally-crushing-husband/