The Broward State Lawyer’s Workplace has determined to drop all costs in opposition to 28-year-old Jaime Taylor, who had been accused of fatally capturing 27-year-old Anthony Memento in a Walgreens retailer in Miramar earlier this 12 months. The ruling follows an investigation that concluded the capturing was a “justifiable murder,” with Taylor performing in self-defense.
Taylor, who was initially charged with manslaughter in February, appeared at a information convention on Monday as a free man, accompanied by his attorneys. “Sadly, that it needed to occur. I simply know, in the mean time, it was killed or be killed,” he stated, explaining his actions inside the shop situated at 2400 Southwest a hundred and first Avenue. Taylor, who was carrying a licensed firearm, stated he fired two photographs after Memento, who was unlicensed to hold attributable to a felony historical past, pulled out a gun.
In line with the arrest report, a cashier on the scene confirmed that each males acknowledged carrying weapons earlier than the confrontation turned lethal. “He instructed me that, ‘Sure, I see you bought a gun and I acquired one too.’ I shot when he pulled it out,” Taylor defined in his assertion.
Andrew Rier, Taylor’s lawyer, emphasised the readability of the scenario: “An harmless man had his costs dropped,” he stated, noting that Taylor’s actions have been backed by safety digicam footage, though it has not been publicly launched. Rier additionally added that Taylor’s cooperation with legislation enforcement with out authorized counsel was a sign of his perception that he had acted inside the legislation.
Following the assessment of all proof, the Broward State Lawyer’s Workplace determined to not transfer ahead with the case, citing the capturing as self-defense. In a memo, prosecutors concluded that the proof demonstrated Taylor had acted moderately to guard himself.
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Taylor’s mom, who had at all times maintained her son’s innocence, expressed aid and religion that he could be cleared of wrongdoing. “I knew God would deliver him again dwelling to me,” she stated, recalling a second when her son reassured her on the scene, telling her, “Momma, don’t cry. I’m going to be OK.”
Nonetheless, Memento’s mom, Linda Memento, expressed her grief and anger upon listening to the information of the dropped costs. “Justice wasn’t served. It wasn’t served. Why? Why wasn’t it served? Aren’t all of us individuals?” she stated in an emotional assertion. “My son is useless once more. Useless.”
Wanting forward, Taylor stated he plans to return to Northwest Missouri State College to finish his last 12 months of faculty, the place he performed soccer. He additionally intends to concentrate on his household, saying, “Going to be the most effective father to my daughter and ensure I keep on the straight and slender path so I don’t ever should take care of this ever once more.”
Taylor’s attorneys confirmed that he had a authorized allow to hold his gun, whereas Memento, attributable to his felony historical past, didn’t. The tragic incident has left each households grappling with the results of the altercation, however the authorized system has decided that Taylor’s actions have been justified within the face of speedy hazard.
