Tay-K was back in a Texas courtroom on Tuesday (July 23) where a Tarrant County jury decided his fate.
According to CBS Dallas-Fort Worth, the 19-year-old rapper was sentenced to 55 years for the murder of 21-year-old Ethan Walker along with 30, 13 and 13 years for three counts of aggravated robbery. The sentences will be served concurrently..
The sentences will run concurrently.
Tay-K — real name Taymore McIntyre — was convicted on Friday (July 19) of murder and three aggravated robbery charges related to a 2016 home invasion in Mansfield that resulted Walker’s death.
[This article has been updated. The following was published on July 19, 2019.]
A jury has found 19-year-old rapper Tay-K (real name Taymor McIntyre) guilty of “lesser included offense of murder.”
According to CBS Dallas-Fort Worth, prosecutors argued in court on Friday (July 19) that while he didn’t pull the trigger that killed 21-year-old Ethan Walker, he knew the robbery would result in someone getting shot.
Tay-K pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated robbery by threats in connection to the 2016 botched robbery earlier this week.
Tay-K’s lawyer Jeff Kearney explained on Tuesday (July 16) that his client had already “accepted responsibility” for the robbery through his plea.
He believed the evidence wouldn’t support his client was aware Latharian Merritt “was going to go in and intentionally kill for no reason, intentionally kill Ethan Walker.”
The punishment phase is reportedly underway.
The Texas-bred teenager is also charged in a second capital murder case out of Bexar County and an aggravated robbery case in Tarrant County that occurred while he was on the run.
[This article has been updated. The following was published on July 16, 2019.]
Tay-K’s capital murder trial got underway in Fort Worth, Texas on Tuesday (July 16) according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
The day before the trial began, Tay-K pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated robbery by threats in connection with the 2016 robbery of Ethan Walker’s girlfriend and another man inside the Mansfield home.
Walker was shot in the stomach during the botched home invasion and later died.
Authorities are still trying to determine if Tay-K anticipated or should have anticipated a murder would be committed when he participated in the robbery.
Tay-K has also pleaded not guilty to capital murder and to a separate count of aggravated robbery for the robbery and shooting of Walker’s roommate, Zachary Beloate. Beloate was shot in the shoulder during the robbery.
One of Tay-K’s three defense attorneys, Jeff Kearney, told jurors in opening statements Tuesday morning that “Tay agreed to participate in a robbery. Tay participated in a robbery.”
Kearney pointed out he’s already “accepted responsibility” for the robbery through his plea. He added the evidence won’t support Tay-K thought Latharian Merritt “was going to go in and intentionally kill for no reason, intentionally kill Ethan Walker.”
The now 19-year-old is one of seven defendants — three juveniles and four adults — accused in the robbery and fatal shooting. Although Tay-K was only 16 when the incident occurred, he was certified to stand trial as an adult.
The once-burgeoning rapper is also charged in a second capital murder case out of Bexar County and an aggravated robbery case in Tarrant County that occurred while he was on the run.
Officials allege he robbed and fatally shot 23-year-old Mark Saldivar at a Chick-fil-A in San Antonio in April 2017. The following month, he allegedly attacked and robbed 65-year-old Skip Pepe who was walking along Fish Creek Trail in Arlington’s Cravens Park at the time.
Tay-K was ultimately taken into custody in New Jersey in June 2017. Since his incarceration, he allegedly started a “Rug-Rats” jail gang and was charged with possessing a cellphone inside a correctional facility.
The capital murder trial is to continue at least through this week.
This knucklehead about to get football numbers. Hopefully it’s not in vain. Young knuckleheads better pay attention to this waste of life.
Poor Tay he’s a good boy…
Hes a good boy that did bad things gotta pay the price now lil man
why ? was he broke when he decided to rob that person ? did he think enough before he made that stupid decision ?
He made the song that made him famous on the run from the law.
I dont think he ever has not been broke.
So you’re saying he’s been rich his whole life and made the song first then robbed the person? You’re not helping the situation.
At least he kept it real for the homies right fellas lol ya dumb
He should change his name to Tay-K 47yrs
The Twitter zombies really keep screaming “Free Tay-K” and justifying this kid’s criminal activities, all because he made a song they liked, SMH. Can’t do the time, don’t do the crime.
Good and this shit went down in texas right? Hope this piece of shit gets the death penalty #freetaykaysbrainsonthefiringsquadyard
He committed the crime when he was 16 (a juvenile) but they chose to wait and try him as an adult? I didn’t know they could do that lol.
This the USA you clown! We can do what we want when we want
I’m a loser whose obsessed with Black music and culture. I envy the Black penis.
I too envy the black penis..
Tay K – haha well done, you fucking idiot.
This kid’s chilli ring is gonna be turned inside out before Halloween
Just like in real life. You can’t keep blacks out of your mouth. What we have here is a grade A Cuck. So do you join in with your girl? Or does she make you watch as they dominate her?
He’s not throwing up signs in court now. Time to pay for being a knucklehead. 55 sheshhhh. They don’t play in Texas. Stay tuned for the next trial.
No point even saying good riddance… another nignog out there done took his place smh
We have got to do better. Stop the cycle.
Yeah, seriously, he was just a lost boy, and the systematic oppression caused him to murder another black man! Logical… Imagine saying “stop and think” lol. If pointless murder crosses your mind, your 100% forever lost. No redeeming yourself.
Now he can Race the Booty Goonies waiting to Violate him at night.
Let him rot!
Meanwhile, a white couple gets 3 years probation in Iowa for giving their baby cocaine.
How is that the same? Some people arent worth defending, brotha
Him and his group are responsible for 3 murders. Even though you are his number one fan, you need to let him go. Sorry
Lol… Murder… And doing drugs… Hmmmm, which one is worse? FYI, black people get away with murder sometimes too. Every case is different. Defending this killer is pretty fucking ignorant.
Quit your crying pussy boy. Don’t be so jelly of the white privilege
Apples & oranges, bro
What if the baby asked for the cocaine? It’s all about context.
The baby is still alive. The guy they killed isn’t. Big difference
Look at how many whites you triggered, lol. “It’S nOt ThE sAmE tHiNg.” Haha. Well done, brother.
wasted his whole life just when it’s starting, crime don’t pay
Who the f is tay k???
I thought it was that one little white girl that be flexin’ on Instagram … LoL
Why do we waste time talking about these nobodies whose sole mission is to do time and make shitty music ?!?!?! Send him to jail, give him 3 hots and a cot and call it a day. He’s not a productive member of society … not a “musician” – he’s a criminal! And apparently – a murderer… not a good role model or anyone that I think should have a voice and a platform. fuck him and his stupid glasses.
LOSER!
Ouch it would really suck to have to do 55 years for something you did when you was 16..we all did stupid things at that age right..
Yeah but I never robbed anyone killed anyone or was In possessions of firearms when I was young.. i did do stupid shxt at 16 but I was smart enough not to do anything extreme
I’m addicted to coming to Hip Hop sites
Criminal! All that gun toting and doing crime got your ass locked up!You bring down the black community!
all yall Gangbangers… yall think it’s fun uh ?
He’ll be eligible for parole after completing half his sentence.