GOSHEN —
A 20-year-old Elkhart man was sentenced to 75 years in prison Thursday morning in Elkhart Circuit Court.
Judge Terry Shewmaker suspended five of those years for John Taylor IV, who was convicted of three counts of attempted murder in July.
Taylor received a total of 35 years for the first count, 40 years with five suspended for the second count and 40 years with five suspended for the third count of attempted murder. Shewmaker ordered that the first and second counts be served consecutively and the second and the third concurrently.
Taylor told Judge Shewmaker he will appeal his conviction.
The attempted murders took place Oct. 26, 2011. The victims, Chamar Jackson, Avery Copeland and Michael Raeder were in a car when Taylor fired 10 shots from an SKS assault rifle at them.
“All this started with words and ended with actions — actions you performed with an assault weapon,” Shewmaker told Taylor.
Two of the victims were shot.
The judge pointed out that one of the victims didn’t have anything to do with the altercation that precipitated the shootings.
Raeder, he pointed out, still has a bullet in his arm and is lucky a door slowed down another bullet so it did not penetrate its skull.
“Were you listening to what Mr. Williams said?” Shewmaker asked Taylor. Cliff Williams was the public defender handling Taylor’s case and prior to sentencing gave a long speech about the responsibilities of society to young men like Taylor who were looking for older male role models.
Taylor said yes.
“You wanted respect on the streets. … Was it worth it,” Shewmaker asked.
“No sir,” Taylor replied.
Shewmaker added more years to Taylor’s sentences due to several aggravating factors, including Taylor’s long history of escalating crime.
As a juvenile, Taylor participated in the SHOW CAP program, where all of the assets of the juvenile justice system are focused on a juvenile.
“It was a complete and utter failure in your case,” Shewmaker told Taylor. “Every other sanction we’ve tried … has been unsuccessful and ineffective in your rehabilitation. This is an escalation.”
Also in court, Shewmaker accepted a plea bargain for Keith Steve Harbor who pleaded guilty to two counts of dealing cocaine, Class B felonies.
Harbor will serve 24 years total with four suspended. Each count earned Harbor 12 years in prison to be served consecutively. The offenses occurred in March and April of this year.
Breaking News
CIRCUIT COURT: Elkhart man sentenced to 75 years
- Breaking News
-
-
'Experience Michiana' segments to be taped in Goshen
The crew with WNIT program “Experience Michiana” is set to tape segments in Goshen this week. The segments will be broadcast June 27 and 28.
-
State officials warn people to be alert at fairs, festivals
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security and state police are reminding state residents to be alert for safety concerns when attending county fairs and other local festivals.
-
Goshen officials donate former Hawks Building to LaCasa
An agreement between Goshen city government and LaCasa Inc. allowing for the donation of the former Hawks Building to the local non-profit was approved Monday.
-
How to monitor a Facebook Page while out of the office
With the popularity of social media soaring by the day, it is important for online marketers to keep their Facebook page updated regularly, and monitor it daily to answer comments and questions that fans post.
-
GROUNDS FOR INSANITY: In need of a support group — or several
It’s an idea whose time has come. Actually, the country’s been ripe for it since the oil crisis of the Carter administration, but I was young then and hadn’t twigged to it yet.
-
Rocket Science gains some national exposure
NAPPANEE — Things were buzzing at Rocket Science Ice Cream Shop on a recent Friday when camera crews from The Food Network and The Cooking Channel arrived at the shop inside Coppes Commons.
-
Fabric repurposed for medical uses at local nursing home
NAPPANEE - One person’s trash is another’s treasure, the old saying goes. For a group of women at a nursing home in Nappanee, that saying has never been more true.
-
Welcome back, Inn: Oakwood Reopens
SYRACUSE — After five years of uncertainty, the Oakwood Resort on Lake Wawasee checked in its first guests under new ownership last week.
-
Christian music festival returns to Nappanee
NAPPANEE — For the second year in a row, Amish Acres is the host site for WFRN Radio’s Friend Fest, scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
-
Car dealers’ delight
GOSHEN - Auto sales are going up nationwide and Elkhart County dealers are part of that rebound.
- More Breaking News Headlines
-
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Raw: Obama Arrives in Berlin
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Obama Seeks G-8 Support on Syria
Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
Suicide Bombs Target Baghdad Mosque, Killing 29
Military Plans to Put Women in Combat Jobs
Solar Power Chargers in NYC Parks
Civil Rights Groups Sue NYPD Over Muslim Spying
Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Boeing, Airbus Battle for Sales Supremacy
NYC 911 Call Lasts for 8 Hours
