Los Osos man murder charge dropped to assisting suicide
December 14, 2012
The San Luis Obispo county District Attorney’s Office reduced the charge against an 86-year-old Los Osos man from murder to assisted suicide in the death of his 81-year-old wife.
George Taylor told a ranger at Montana de Oro State Park that he agreed to a suicide pact with his wife, Gewynn Taylor prior to her death Monday. Thursday, George Taylor appeared in court, and Judge Ginger Garrett ruled that he can live with his daughter as opposed to returning to jail if he gets counseling.
Taylor did not succeed in his attempt to commit suicide along side his wife at Montana de Oro on Monday and began to drive away with his wife’s body in the car. But, a park ranger stopped Taylor’s car around 11:30 p.m. and discovered that the man had cuts on his wrists and neck. Taylor said he tried to suffocate himself but did not succeed.
Taylor told the ranger that the couple tried committing suicide because they were extremely depressed.
After receiving treatment for his injuries Taylor spent Tuesday and Wednesday in jail on a murder charge. Many supporters of Taylor attended his afternoon hearing Thursday, where the charge changed to assisted suicide.
Taylor will receive a mental health evaluation Friday and is scheduled to appear in court again on December 19. Taylor is represented by attorney Ilan Funke-Bilu.
Both of the Taylors made weekly appearances at San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors meeting and spoke regularly on issues pertaining to Los Osos. In February 2011, Gewynn Taylor warned Supervisor Bruce Gibson during public comment that his claim that Los Osos residents could use equity in their home to cover sewer project costs could lead to residents committing suicide.
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