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Anthony Cloud

Staff Writer

Several individuals testified Thursday that Brian Hatfield and Candy Maiden made statements to them in regards to the alleged assault and murder of William Taylor.

Amber (Partin) Murray and Scott Mason testified Hatfield made statements to them that would place him at the crime scene the night of the alleged assault.

Prior to testifying about the statements Hatfield allegedly made, Murray testified she was a convicted felon. She also said she had a relationship with Hatfield at one point.

Murray testified she was the one who brought the conversation up about the alleged assault and murder of Taylor. She testified Hatfield said he kicked Taylor in the legs and ribs.

According to Murray’s testimony, Hatfield said he took $200. She testified Hatfield said he went to change clothes and wash the blood off his hands following the alleged assault.

During cross examination, Murray testified to Brent Flowers, one of Hatfield’s attorneys, that she gave her statement to the police on the day she was going to jail.

When asked if that was her motivation for giving the statement to police, Murray denied it.

Flowers also pointed out Murray’s statement to police took place approximately two years after Hatfield allegedly made the comments to her. She also denied ever trying to get Hatfield in trouble in the past.

During re-direct, Murray testified she was never promised anything for her statement to the police.

Scott Mason testified both Maiden and Hatfield made statements to him about the night of the assault.

On the night Hatfield allegedly told Mason about the assault, the two were headed to the Starlight Bar in Jellico, Tenn. Because of rumors surrounding the assault, Mason asked Hatfield if he had anything to do with it.

“He said he didn’t mean to hit him that hard with a pipe,” commented Mason on a statement Hatfield allegedly made about the night of the assault.

Mason testified he turned around and dropped Hatfield off at Hatfield Gap. He also testified Hatfield asked for a ride at one point after the conversation took place and Mason refused.

Mason testified Maiden allegedly made her statement when the two were at a mutual friend’s house. Mason testified Maiden was not sober that night. At some point during the night, Mason testified Maiden said “they did it and she got a pocket full of money.”

During cross-examination, Mason testified he waited two years before he gave the Kentucky State Police a statement. He also testified KSP Det. Tyson Lawson came to his house to receive the statement, therefore he did not voluntarily go to the police and give information.

Flowers also pointed out Mason stated Hatfield and Maiden said Tonya Maiden was involved in the case when he gave his statement to the police. Tonya Maiden was never arrested for the alleged assault or murder of Taylor.

Tera Hatfield also testified against Maiden on Thursday. A convicted felon, she is currently serving time in the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women (KCIW).

Tera Hatfield testified in February she was incarcerated with Maiden. She had not previously met Maiden before that time, according to her testimony.

Tera Hatfield testified during that time, Maiden discussed the charges placed against her. Tera Hatfield testified Maiden referred to Taylor as her “sugar daddy.” Tera Hatfield testified Maiden said “they” got high and wanted to get higher. The “they” was never clarified.

Tera Hatfield testified Maiden said she wanted to get money from her “sugar daddy.” When she went to get money something “went wrong,” according to Tera Hatfield’s testimony.

The trial is scheduled to continue today.

It is alleged that 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.

Taylor was sent to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where he was initially admitted to the Intensive Care unit. 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