Kenneth Gordon Taylor
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- Gender
- male
- Country
- USA
- Location
- Tennessee/Ohio/Pennsylvania, USA
- Date of birth
- 1941
- Age at first offence
- 36
- Characteristics
- thrill killing
- Victim profile
- Men and women
- Method of murder
- Shooting
- Date(s) of murder
- 1977 - 1978
- Years active
- 1977–1978
- Date of arrest
- September 4, 1978
- Status
-
Imprisoned
Sentenced to 30 years in prison on one count of second degree in Ohio on March 9, 1979
Case record: Kenneth Gordon Taylor
Background
Kenneth Gordon Taylor was born in 1941 and was an Ohio native.
The offence
Taylor was accused of murder in connection with the death of David Willie, whose body was described as dumped in a downtown alley. David Willie was 36 years old.
The case summary also describes Taylor as a “thrill-killer of victims selected at random.” Taylor was charged with murder, armed robbery, and the theft of Willie's car. Taylor was driving Willie's car at the time of his arrest.
While in custody, Taylor soon confessed to 16 other murders that were allegedly committed in Tennessee, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The victims reportedly included a husband and wife killed at Boardman, Ohio, earlier in 1978. The summary also states that authorities from North Lima linked Taylor’s name with the 1977 murder of 28-year-old David Hamilton. Hamilton’s wife was also believed dead and was still missing.
Investigation
On September 4, 1978, Nashville, Tennessee patrolmen pulled Taylor over after routine traffic violations.
The officers initially were skeptical when Taylor told them, “I'm glad you stopped me; I just committed a murder”. The officers’ doubts vanished after Taylor directed them to the body of David Willie, dumped in a downtown alley.
As police from several states descended on Taylor’s cell, Taylor stopped talking and retained a lawyer to push his plea of innocent by reason of insanity.
Arrest
Taylor was arrested while driving David Willie’s car.
Trial
Taylor retained a lawyer to push his plea of innocent by reason of insanity.
Recanting his confessions on the eve of trial, Taylor was convicted of second-degree murder in the Willie case.
Sentencing
On March 9, 1979, Taylor received a 30-year prison term for second-degree murder in the Willie case.
Appeals
No appeal information was provided.
Outcome
Taylor was sentenced to 30 years in prison on one count of second degree in Ohio on March 9, 1979.
Aftermath
Investigation into Taylor’s other alleged murders continued at the time of the writing.
Other details
Michael Newton was credited with an encyclopedia entry mentioning “Hunting Humans.” The same entry lists:
- SEX: M
- RACE: W
- TYPE: N
- MOTIVE: PC-nonspecific
- DATE(S): 1977-78
- VENUE: Tenn./Ohio/Pa.
- VICTIMS: 17 confessed
- MO: Thrill-killer of victims selected at random
- DISPOSITION: 30 years on one count of second degree in Oh i o, 1979.
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