By admin WHITLEY COUNTY, Ky. (WYMT) – A southern Kentucky man who pleaded guilty to killing his girlfriend’s baby is on his way to prison.
Jordan Taylor has been charged with the murder of a three-year-old in Whitley County.
The crime occurred in February 2023 at a home on Eatontown School Road in Corbin.
Taylor’s verdict was handed down quickly, but there was some last-minute drama in the courtroom.
The sentencing follows a guilty plea in which he stated that he had indeed killed Amoura Smallwood, essentially beating her to death.
At the time of the incident, police said the child had bruises from his head to his feet. The Commonwealth’s Attorney said it was one of the worst cases of child abuse he had ever seen.
Taylor’s guilty plea means he avoids any chance of the death penalty that prosecutors intended to seek.
During the hearing, Taylor’s lawyer discussed that he would not be eligible for the death penalty due to his low IQ.
At that point, the judge interrupted her, calling Taylor a “monster” and said he was sent to juvenile detention.
“The referee said it best. He is a monster,” Commonwealth attorney Ronnie Bowling said. If you read the verdict, he pleaded guilty to murder, he pleaded guilty to sodomy, he pleaded guilty to strangling a three-year-old, who else could he be?”
The judge asked Taylor if he wanted to say anything. Taylor replied, “No, I’m fine.”
There was also drama between Taylor’s lawyer and the prosecutor, during which the two exchanged a few words and had to be called to the judge’s bench for a judicial conference out of earshot.
Amoura Smallwood’s mother faces charges of accessory to murder.
Her trial is scheduled for March 2025.
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