Opening arguments are expected Monday in the trial of Tavon Taylor, one of the drivers accused of killing eight bystanders during an illegal Maryland street race two years ago.
The other driver involved in the incident, Darren Jamar Bullock, pleaded guilty Friday to eight counts of manslaughter.
Bullock, 22, and Taylor, 20, were racing along Route 210 in Accokeek during the early morning hours of Feb. 16, 2008, when Bullock’s 1999 Crown Victoria slammed into a crowd of onlookers, killing eight and injuring six others. Even though Taylor was not behind the wheel of the vehicle that struck the victims, Maryland law states that any driver in an illegal race that results in injury can be held responsible for those injuries.
Taylor is being charged with eight counts of vehicular manslaughter, as well as reckless driving and illegal racing. He could face more than 80 years behind bars. Bullock is expected to receive 15 years in prison at his sentencing March 1.
“He just asked me to say that he is so sorry for everything that happened,” Bullock’s attorney, Janet Hart, told The Examiner.
Taylor’s lawyer, J. Wyndal Gordon, expressed surprise at Bullock’s guilty plea. “I think that’s bad that he took a plea to a crime that he really didn’t commit,” Gordon said. “I guess he was doing damage control. … That’s disheartening.”
Ramon V. Korionoff, communications director for the Maryland state prosecutor, said he hoped Bullock’s guilty plea “sends a strong message to those who may engage in street racing, not only that it’s dangerous but also that it’s against the law.”
Prosecutors said that they pieced together the case by speaking with at least 75 witnesses and viewing nearby security camera footage. A crowd of roughly 200 people had reportedly gathered along the highway to watch an unconnected street race when Bullock’s and Taylor’s cars zoomed up behind the onlookers and the fatal crash resulted. Some witnesses said that Bullock was driving with his lights off and might not have seen the victims.
Despite Bullock’s guilty plea, Gordon maintains that his client, Taylor, is innocent. “We believe in the justice system,” Taylor said. “When you feel confident about your innocence you fight for it, and that’s what we intend to do.”
