Ronald Taylor molestation trial continues (MI)
Catherine
Ronald Taylor molestation trial continues
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Created: 6/19/2007 12:28:14 PM
Updated: 6/19/2007 9:10:01 PM
GRAND RAPIDS - The trial began today for a former Grand Rapids Public Schools music
teacher.
Ronald Richard Taylor Jr., 39, is on trial with 15 charges of second-degree criminal
sexual conduct.
According to the charges, Taylor used his position to gain the trust of parents of
the boys, who were 5 to 10 years old when the alleged abuse took place.
Many of the boys are expected to testify.
The the trial is expected to last two weeks.
Catherine
Teacher accused of molesting several young boys takes the stand
by Sarah Sell
Created: 6/22/2007 5:54:26 PM
Updated: 6/23/2007 9:08:40 AM
Grand Rapids - A Grand Rapids teacher accused of molesting several boys took the
stand in his own defense.
Friday afternoon, Ronald Taylor told the jury that the boys are lying about what
happened. He says it's his word against nine different boys. They are accusing
Taylor of inappropriately touching them at school, church, and on a camping trip.
Taylor is facing 15 counts of 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct.
Defense Attorney, Fil Lorio asked, "Did you sexually assault, touch, fondle in the
genitals or groin area, any of these witnesses?" "No," says Ronald Taylor.
Taylor says he is a teacher and a mentor. He admits to spending time with some of
the boys ... because they needed guidance. He says he took them to church and even
went camping. It was during one of those trips, that one of the boys said he was
sexually assaulted.
Lorio says, "He was crying and upset because you were touching him in the genital
area...the buttocks. That's what he said." Taylor says, "That's not why he was
crying. He had heard something in the woods.” He also denied touching any of the
other boys.
When cross examined by Prosecutor Kevin Bramble, Taylor was asked if he mentored
certain children because they wouldn't be credible witnesses. Bramble says, "Kids
that are in trouble are less believable wouldn't you say?” Taylor replied, “I
supposed that's true."
The prosecution went on to say that all nine children came forward with similar
allegations of abuse. Bramble says, "They're all wrong? Your the only one accurate
here?” Taylor responded saying, “I didn't do the things they said I did."
Also on the stand this week, was a fellow inmate. He claims that Taylor admitted to
getting aroused when he touched the kids. Taylor denied talking to anyone at the
jail about his case. The prosecution and defense wrapped up their cases. Closing
arguments will begin on Monday.
Catherine
Former Teacher Denies Molesting Kids
Saturday, June 23, 2007
By Barton Deiters
The Grand Rapids Press
GRAND RAPIDS -- Cool, calm and unflappable, former music teacher Ronald Taylor took
the stand Friday following a week of testimony by young boys and their parents
accusing him of molesting children.
Taylor disputes every one of the 13 counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct
that has him fighting for his freedom in Kent County Circuit Court. The alleged
victims are nine boys younger than 11.
"I never did that to anyone," Taylor said. "Inappropriate touching is never OK."
Taylor's lawyer, Fil Iorio, asked his client about the toys the 39-year-old single
man had at his home: They were his childhood toys that his mother had cleaned out of
her closet and also belonged to his nieces.
What about the people who said Taylor would hug children in a creepy way, pulling
them toward his crotch area? Taylor said he has hugged lots of children, but never
in that way.
And Taylor denied he ever reached into a child's pants, tickling their genitalia
while saying a mouse was tickling them.
A couple of young men talked in glowing terms about the impact Taylor's mentoring had
on their lives.
"I see him as a godly man," said 18-year-old Justin Hill, who Taylor mentored. Hill
is planning to become a doctor and said it was Taylor's influence that pushed him
forward.
Taylor said he never molested boys at Martin Luther King Academy or Buchanan
Elementary School. And as for having the boys in his home for sleepovers and taking
them camping, Taylor said he believes in helping kids who are having trouble and
mentoring them to become well-rounded men.
Taylor at first denied saying he believed he would prevail in the case because his
accusers were young and their stories were inconsistent, but when Assistant Kent
County Prosecutor Kevin Bramble said there is an audio tape of him saying it, Taylor
said he may have said something like that.
So why are all these kids saying this?
"They're not telling the truth," Taylor said.
Closing arguments are expected Monday.
Catherine
Ex-teacher testifies in molestation case
June 22, 2007 - 8:26PM
GRAND RAPIDS (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Accused of molesting nine children, a former Grand
Rapids music teacher defends himself at trial.
Ronald Taylor took the stand Friday and told his side of the story.
Nine victims have come forward against Taylor. Friday he denied everything the young
boys have said.
"Have you fondled, touched genitals or groin area of any of these witnesses that
testified," asked his lawyer.
"No," said Taylor.
He also refuted the testimony of his fellow jail inmate.
"He said when you touched the kids, some of the kids would get aroused," said the
lawyer.
"Again, I didn't tell him that and I certainly wouldn't do that," Taylor responded.
"Did you talk to him at all about your case," asked the lawyer.
Taylor responded, "no." Taylor suggested that inmate could have learned of the case
from stealing his legal papers.
The prosecutor asked Taylor if he told others what that inmate heard in jail. "You
told other people that, that the jury wouldn't believe the children because they're
young and inconsistent, didn't you?"
"I think I told people no one would believe the kids because their stories didn't
line up," said Taylor.
A therapist testified that children couldn't keep lying about abuse all the way to
court.
"If there are concerns about fabrication, in my experience they had to show
themselves very early on in the process when it gets stressful for children," said VP
of the YMCA Counseling Center Thomas Cottrell.
Some of the children in this case were students of the former music teacher. Others
he mentored.
"You pick kids in trouble because you know these people won't believe them, are less
apt to believe them," asked the prosecutor.
"I picked them never thinking I'd be in this situation," said Taylor.
That situation, this case, will continue inside the courthouse on Monday with closing
arguments.
Catherine
Jury Deliberates In Ronald Taylor Trial
June 25, 2007 - 2:33PM
GRAND RAPIDS (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - After nearly a week in court, a jury will decide if a
former Grand Rapids music teacher is guilty of sexually abusing nine children.
The jury is deciding if Ronald Taylor is guilty on 15 counts of Criminal Sexual
Conduct of the second degree. The jury can convict Taylor on all of these counts,
some of the counts, or none of them.
On Monday morning, the defense and prosecution had a final chance to address the
jury.
The defense reiterated the nine alleged victims inconsistencies. The defense claims
they don't add up to Taylor being guilty.
Meanwhile, the prosecution stated that kids can not remember every detail. They claim
that children know the difference between good and bad touching.
Now, it's up to the jury to look at the evidence and either believe the prosecution
or the defense.
Catherine
Music teacher guilty of molesting students
Updated: June 26, 2007 07:49 PM CDT
<::photo::> Ronald Taylor, June 22, 2007
By RACHAEL RUIZ
GRAND RAPIDS -- Ronald Taylor, the former Grand Rapids Public Schools teacher accused
of molesting students, was found guilty by a jury in Kent County Circuit Court.
Taylor faced 15 counts of molestation, but denied any wrongdoing when he testified in
his behalf last Friday.
But the jury found him guilty on 12 of those 15 counts of second-degree criminal
sexual conduct.
"Happy, very happy, about the verdict," said the father of one victim.
There was no reaction from Taylor as the verdict was read after seven hours of
deliberation. Taylor's attorney, Fil Iorio, told 24 Hour News 8 he believes there's
grounds for an appeal.
"I think there are grounds for an appeal and that's where this likely will be
headed," Iorio said.
Taylor was on trial for fondling nine boys between the ages of 6-11, many of them
students at Buchanan Elementary and Martin Luther King Leadership Academy
Parents of the children attended the trial and told 24 Hour News 8 they're satisfied
Taylor was convicted.
"I'm pleased and I'm grateful," said the mom of another victim. "Justice has been
served."
But the defendant's father, Ronald Taylor Sr., said his son is innocent.
"I see too many inconsistencies in here that I don't think the jury picked up on," he
said.
Sentencing is set for August 16, and he is being held without bond until his
sentencing date. He faces up to 15 years in jail.
The parent of one victim said he hopes Taylor goes to prison.
"I just hope when he goes to prison, he deserves the same treatment he did to these
kids and that's the honest to God truth, he deserve that," he said.
http://fox17.trb.com/news/0625-07-wxmi-taylo,0,5043549.story?coll=wxmi-news-1
Teacher Found Guilty Of Molesting Students
June 26, 2007
GRAND RAPIDS - A Grand Rapids music teacher accused of fondling young male students
was found guilty Tuesday of criminal sexual conduct.
Ronald Taylor was convicted on 12 of 15 second degree charges. He faces 15 years in
prison when he is sentenced August 16.
Ronald Taylor worked at Martin Luther King Leadership Academy and Buchanan
Elementary. He's been on unpaid leave from Grand Rapids Public Schools since the
allegations came to light in October of 2006.
Taylor was accused of fondling nine male students ages five to 11. Some victims
reported repeated abuse.
Taylor's attorney argued that the charges were all a misunderstanding, that Taylor's
actions were misconstrued by the students. He says an appeal is likely.
http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=77146
Taylor Guilty on 12 Counts
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Ronald Taylor waits for the jury on Tuesday morning
<::Photo::> by Tony Love
Taylor looks down as the verdict is read in court
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Created: 6/26/2007 10:25:07 AM
Updated: 6/26/2007 9:37:13 PM
A jury in Grand Rapids today returned a guilty verdict on 12 counts against Ronald
Taylor.
The 39-year old Taylor, a former Grand Rapids music teacher, was accused of sexually
assaulting nine boys, ages 5 through 10.
Earlier Monday morning, both sides gave their closing arguments.
Friday afternoon, Ronald Taylor told the jury that the boys are lying about what
happened. He says it's his word against nine different boys. They are accusing
Taylor of inappropriately touching them at school, church, and on a camping trip.
Taylor is facing 15 counts of 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct.
Defense Attorney, Fil Lorio asked, "Did you sexually assault, touch, fondle in the
genitals or groin area, any of these witnesses?" "No," says Ronald Taylor.
Taylor says he is a teacher and a mentor. He admits to spending time with some of
the boys ... because they needed guidance. He says he took them to church and even
went camping. It was during one of those trips, that one of the boys said he was
sexually assaulted.
Lorio says, "He was crying and upset because you were touching him in the genital
area...the buttocks. That's what he said." Taylor says, "That's not why he was
crying. He had heard something in the woods." He also denied touching any of the
other boys.
When cross examined by Prosecutor Kevin Bramble, Taylor was asked if he mentored
certain children because they wouldn't be credible witnesses. Bramble says, "Kids
that are in trouble are less believable wouldn't you say?" Taylor replied, "I
supposed that's true."
The prosecution went on to say that all nine children came forward with similar
allegations of abuse. Bramble says, "They're all wrong? Your the only one accurate
here?"
Taylor responded saying, "I didn't do the things they said I did."
Taylor faces 15 years in prison.