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Taylor v. State2/4/1999
bathroom floor with severe burns to her face, back, abdomen and legs. While in the house the deputies saw smoke and noticed an odor, which smelled like kerosene. Edith was airlifted to Forrest General Hospital. Later that night she was transferred to the Greenville Burn Center, where she remained until she died on June 1, 1994.
. Various witnesses testified that Edith indicated that Taylor had set her on fire. Deputy Lossett testified when he asked Edith who caused her injuries she stated that Taylor had burned her. Ms. Delancey testified that when Emergency Medical Technicians placed a sterile sheet over Edith's legs and began pouring water on the sheet, Edith said, "Don't let him hurt me." Ms. Delancey also testified that she thought Edith told Julius that she did not know what it was that "he" had poured on her. However, there is some discrepancy as to whether this statement was made before or after the Emergency Medical Technicians poured water on Edith.
. During the trial, Dr. Emily Ward was called by the State to testify as an expert in forensic pathology. Dr. Ward testified that she had performed an autopsy on Edith on June 2, 1994, and that the cause of death was extensive burns. Dr. Ward also testified that it was her professional opinion that Edith's burns were neither self-inflicted nor accidental.
. On behalf of the defense forensic pathologist, Dr. Kris Sperry, testified that Edith's blood alcohol level at the time she was burned would have been approximately .41. He stated that even an experienced drinker would appear intoxicated at that level and that the things she said may not have been reflective of reality. Dr. Sperry also testified that he had reviewed pictures of Edith's injuries and that it was his opinion that the burns were consistent with self-inflicted burns.
. The defense also called various witnesses to testify that Edith had on several prior occasions threatened to commit suicide if Taylor went back into detox and had threatened to burn down her house for the insurance proceeds. The testimony of Ms. Stacy Joyner was offered to impeach the testimony of Ms. Delancey. Ms. Joyner testified that in prior interviews Ms. Delancey had not stated that Edith said Taylor had poured any thing on her.
. Prior to trial Taylor filed a Motion to Suppress, seeking to suppress all evidence deputies obtained from Edith's house. Stipulating that Taylor had standing to challenge the search and seizure, the circuit court held an evidentiary hearing to determine the admissibility of the evidence. The testimony introduced at the hearing revealed that after the officers arrived on the scene on May 4, 1994, Officer Lossett stayed with Edith, while Officer Landrum walked through the house. Officer Landrum testified that his purpose in walking through the house was to secure the house and determine if there were other fires. He stated that when he entered the bedroom, which was connected to the bathroom, he noticed a hurricane lamp with the globe off. After Officer Landrum walked through the house he left to see if he could find Taylor. When he returned to the house he brought his camera with him and took pictures of Edith's injuries, the bathroom and the lamps. He testified that they were not told that Taylor lived in the house.
. When Captain Rodney Spears arrived on the scene forty-five minutes later, Officers Lossett and Landrum went through the house a third time, pointing out various items. Captain Spears collected various items of evidence. Among the items collected were burned clothing, sweepings from the bathroom floor, a box of matches from the bathroom floor and the hurricane lamps on the bedroom dresser. Captain Spears also
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