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Anthony Cloud

Staff Writer

Defendant Brian Hatfield took the stand Friday to testify in the William Taylor murder trial. Hatfield is alleged to be involved in the death of Taylor in January 2008.

“I absolutely didn’t harm (Taylor) in any way,” said Hatfield as he addressed the Taylor family and the jury. “I never met Bill Taylor (and) I never harmed him in any fashion.”

Hatfield testified he went scrapping with Jeremy Evans and Debbie Partin on the day of the alleged assault. He said they used the money to get a pill. Hatfield also said he and Evans took Partin to Taylor’s residence to get money.

At some point in the night, Evans, Partin and Hatfield went to Lucas Maiden’s house, according to testimony. Hatfield testified Partin and Evans wanted to stay at Maiden’s house, but he decided to go to his mother’s house.

Hatfield testified he took Evans’ truck to his mother’s house and remained there the “whole night.” In earlier testimony, Hatfield’s mother, Sharon Hatfield, testified that he did stay at her house.

“I’m not going to lie for my son,” said Sharon Hatfield. “If it’s right or wrong … I will not lie for my child.”

Evans testified earlier in the trial that he drove Brian Hatfield, along with Partin and Candy Maiden, to Taylor’s house on the night of the alleged assault.

During cross-examination, Brian Hatfield denied he confessed to the alleged Taylor murder to anyone. During earlier testimony, several individuals claimed Brian Hatfield said he hit Taylor too hard and he didn’t mean to do it.

Brian Hatfield also denied going to Joe Bill Brown’s house or Joe King’s house following the alleged assault on Taylor. He testified he did not know when he heard the news about Taylor’s assault.

Brian Hatfield admitted he was a drug addict during the time Taylor was assaulted and murdered. He also admitted he used the majority of his money to buy drugs.

Following Brian Hatfield’s testimony, the Hatfield attorneys rested their case.

The trial is set to resume on Tuesday.

It is alleged Taylor was brutally beaten during the robbery at his home in the early morning hours of Jan. 15, 2008. After the robbers fled, Taylor walked more than 100 yards to the nearest neighbor’s house for help. He was sent to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where he initially was admitted to Intensive Care. Taylor’s condition was briefly upgraded to stable before being downgraded. He died approximately one week after the attack.

Reach Anthony Cloud at 606-248-1010, ext. 208, acloud@civitasmedia.com