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.
Police News
CIRCUIT COURT: Elkhart man sentenced to 75 years
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