Posted 3:28 am Tuesday, July 10, 2012
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Taylor Felony Trial Under Way Today
By DAYNA WORCHEL
Staff Writer
A 17-year-old Tyler man accused of beating up and robbing a convenience store owner in January, along with three other men, will go to trial in the Smith County 241st District Court this morning.
Jamon Nicholas Taylor is charged with engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony, and robbery, a second-degree felony. Taylor is in the Smith County Jail on bonds totaling $550,000.
The robbery took place at the Conoco convenience store at Van Highway and West Gentry Parkway on Jan. 27, Don Martin, Tyler police spokesman, said.
"Two of the suspects confronted the owner behind the counter and struck him and beat him down to the ground with their fists, and the others were grabbing several packs of cigarettes," Martin said.
Martin said in January the store owner was beaten and bruised and needed medical attention for lacerations, but was OK.
"He's a little shaken up by the ordeal, but not seriously injured," he said.
Martin identified the other men as Steven Ray Sadler, 18; Michael Avory Hayles, 17; and Prince Kentrell Hull, 18.
Sadler is in the Smith Cou-nty Jail on bonds totaling $805,000 on charges of robbery, evading arrest and engaging in organized criminal activity. Hayles, 18, is jailed on charges of robbery and engaging in organized criminal activity on bonds totaling $550,000, and Hull, 19, also is jailed on robbery and engaging in organized criminal activity charges on bonds totaling $550,000.
