A 71-year-old man’s motion to waive his outstanding probation fees was denied in connection to a murder case dating back nearly five decades.
During a motions hearing on March 14, Eugene Taylor and his defense attorney, Janine Meckler, argued to waive a probation fee of $2,800 that have accrued since his release in March 2018. Meckler noted that no fees are currently accruing and that Taylor reported for probation for five years without picking up any additional charges.
The defendant was initially charged with first-degree murder and handgun use in committing a crime for an incident in 1975.
“This is not a violation of probation,” Meckler said. “…What we’re [saying] is that a man, who has successfully completed probation, cannot afford to pay the probation fees…”
Taylor cannot work, she concluded.
Prior to defense counsel’s argument, the prosecutor explained that Taylor was convicted for robbing and then fatally shooting a cab driver. The defendant later accepted a plea of life, suspending all but time served—41 years, 9 months, 22 days—five years ago.
“I understand he has health problems,” the prosecutor said. “I just find it a little unbelievable that he’s paid absolutely nothing toward this. …It’s just too easy to brush it aside and say, ‘Well, he’s an old man.’ His actions affected the victim’s family for the rest of their lives.”
Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Yolanda Tanner denied defense’s motion at the conclusion of the hearing.
