At a hearing today, Judge Roger W. Brown sentenced Derrick Taylor, 27, of the 4000 block of Ridgecroft Road, to three consecutive life-without-the-possibility-of-parole prison terms and another consecutive 60 years for three use of a handgun in the commission-of-a-crime-of -violence counts. A Baltimore Jury convicted Taylor February, 27, 2007 of three counts of first-degree felony murder (murder committed during the commission of a felony), three counts of use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence. The jury also convicted Taylor of several handgun counts but failed to reach verdicts on first-degree murder (premeditated) and several second degree murder counts and assault counts. Judge Brown declared a mistrial on those counts and the state entered a nol pros on those counts following the sentencing hearing today. On January 10, 2005 Taylor shot and killed Nathan Gulliver, 49, Antwon Arthur, 38, and Steven Matthews, 36, at a drug and alcohol recovery house in the at 540 block of West 27th Street. A second defendant in this case, Corey McMillon, is serving a prison term of life plus 20 years for a previous murder conviction and faces an April 20, 2007 trial date for his alleged involvement in this case.

The Baltimore City Grand Jury has indicted Keith Vaughn, 34, of the 4500 block of Pen Lucy Road for the first-degree murder of Antonio Brown, 16. Court documents allege on September 6, 2006 Keith Vaughn and two other suspects approached Antonio Brown and two other persons in 100 block of Diener Place, and Vaughn produced a handgun and shot Antonio Brown to death. Vaughn is held without bail at the Baltimore Detention Center. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for May 15, 2007 before Judge Lynn Stewart.

At a hearing today Judge Allen L. Schwait sentenced Reginald Williams, 35, of the 400 block of East Eager Street, to five concurrent life in prison terms. Williams was the serial rapist who struck around the Read Street area in the Central District. He pled guilty October 26, 2006 to three counts of first-degree sex offense, one count of third-degree sex offense, one count of rape and three counts of second-degree assault. Judge Schwait also sentenced Williams to a concurrent 30 years in prison, 10 years for three separate counts of second degree assault. Williams is eligible for enhanced penalties due to his criminal record and the State filed its intent to seek those penalties. Williams faced the maximum penalty, life in prison, for each of the sex offenses. Williams sexually assaulted five women over the span of three weeks between December 3-22, 2005. On December 22, 2005 police attempted to arrest Williams in the 1200 block of W. Saratoga Street when he fled into an alley and pulled a gun. Officers shot Williams in the leg.

Scheduled tomorrow:
Re-arraignment for Brandon Grimes, 21, of the 800 block of Cator Ave. 9:30AM tomorrow before Judge Martin P. Welch.
The City Grand Jury indicted Grimes February 12, 2007 for first-degree murder and attempted robbery deadly weapon. Court documents allege on January 9, 2007. Brandon Grimes fatally shot Baltimore City Police Detective Troy Lamont Chesley, Sr.

The murder and child abuse trial of Annette High, 48, of the 1600 block of Mountmore Court, 9:30AM tomorrow before Judge John M. Glynn. The BCGJ indicted High August 28, 2006 for first-degree murder and child abuse. Court documents allege that on April 17, 2006 High beat Kayah Jackson, 14 months, about the face and neck while acting as caretaker in her home. The baby died at University Hospital on the same day.