Taylor Trial Continues
As written in the Elizabethton (TN) STAR
Acquitted
Due to out of state witnesses still being sought, defense for Luther "Pop" Taylor, formerly of Stoney Creek, won a trial continuance yesterday in U.S. District Court.
Taylor's proceedings are to continue in Greeneville at 9 a.m. on November 13, it was ruled by Federal Judge Thomas G. Hall.
Pennsylvania authorities are looking for a man named Gene Stahlman, being sought for trial testimony. Stahlman, allegedly involved with Taylor in stolen car and heavy equipment sales, is currently under investigation by Pennsylvania authorities.
Taylor's attorney said Stahlman would likely not be located.
Several federal agents from the Pennsylvania State Police Dept. testified for the state prosecutor yesterday, entering taped conversations between Taylor and themselves as evidence.
Defense Attorney Edwin Marger told the court at the onset yesterday that Taylor admits to the charges and to all the conversations that were taped.
Marger said his client intends to show signs of entrapment by narcotics agents, adding that State Prosecutor Russ Deadrick had the burden of proving that no entrapment took place.
After announcing the entrapment defense, Marger asked the judge for trial by jury to be waived. Judge Hall appeared surprised and spent several minutes questioning Taylor as to whether he understood what the waiver would mean.
Taylor was also asked whether he'd had any medication or anything to drink that might have marred his judgment. When he replied in the negative, the judge agreed to the request.
Hall will be responsible for handing down the verdict and possible subsequent sentence.
Charged with possession of 6.6 pounds of cocaine with intent to resell, 43 year old Taylor was arrested in August for his part in a cocaine conspiracy along with other former Carter Countians, L. D. Livingston and Jerry Grindstaff. Two Puerto Rican men, Howard Judin and John M. Ros of Florida, were also indicted as being the cocaine suppliers.
Taylor was the only one charged in the matter who chose to file a not guilty plea. On Tuesday, the others filed guilty pleas and are set for sentencing in December.
The five arrests were made after months of investigation and cooperation between FBI members, Pennsylvania State Police, TBI officials, and Sullivan and Carter County Sheriffs Department employees.
