Co-Defendants Accused of 2019 Murder Await Trial Date

By Caroline Myers [former] - October 20, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Two co-defendants accused of the 2019 murder of a YMCA coach will return to reception court in November to discuss a trial date.

Aaron Butler, 50, and Donta Holdclaw, 46, are charged in connection to the murder of Jordan Taylor, 31, on Nov. 5, 2019 on the 4800 block of Clifton Avenue. There are two other suspects in this case, Elease Frazier and Khalil Madden.

According to the Baltimore Sun, the four defendants allegedly shot Taylor through the front door of his home during an attempted robbery. 

Neither Frazier nor Madden have a case listed on the Maryland Judiciary website. 

During reception court on Oct. 20, Butler and his defense attorney, Andrea Jaskulsky, rejected a plea offer of life, suspending all but 70 years, and five years of probation for first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, firearm use in the commission of a crime, and first-degree burglary.

Holdclaw was not offered a plea deal.

Jaskulsky and Holdclaw’s defense attorney, Catherine Flynn, discussed a trial date of Nov. 30 when Madden has a trial in connection to an unrelated home invasion and car theft in September 2019. The car stolen in this incident was allegedly used in the commission of Taylor’s murder.

Butler’s counsel had a conflict with beginning trial at the end of November, so Butler and Holdclaw will return to reception court on Nov. 30 to decide on a new trial date.