Full Taylor Behl news coverage
Richmond police indicate murder charges will be pressed
By Marilyn Bardsley
Richmond, VA .(CRIME LIBRARY) Saturday night, when Richmond Police Chief Rodney Monroe was asked if the department was ready to charge anyone in the death of Taylor Behl, Monroe chose his words carefully. He said that in coming weeks "they expect to be charging an individual." At one time there was speculation that there may be other individuals involved, but apparently that has been discounted. "Now we're only focused on one individual."
Monroe declined to name the individual, but it appears as that the only suspect left is Ben W. Fawley, 38, the amateur photographer who was with Taylor the night she disappeared. Fawley's tendencies to resolve personal differences violently and his criminal past have made him a person of interest from the beginning of the investigation.
Fawley was charged on Oct. 7 with possession of a firearm, which as a convicted felon, he is not allowed to have. The Richmond Times Dispatch reported that "the gun was turned into police by an attorney sometime after Behl's disappearance, and before police searched Fawley's house a second time, on Sept.23."
Monroe clarified that although Taylor's cause of death has not yet been officially determined, they were looking at "nothing less than first degree murder." The report from the medical examiner is expected next week. Monroe's statement seems to put to rest the possibility that Taylor's death could have resulted from an accidental drug overdose.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden told Fox News that the Richmond medical examiner's office was very good. Crime fiction readers may recall that best selling author Patricia Cornwell made Kay Scarpetta, the talented Richmond medical examiner, the heroine of many of her novels. Baden went on to say that the medical examiner would probably have a good idea now if Taylor was murdered by shooting, blunt force trauma or strangulation, even though the remains of Taylor were mostly skeletal.
Virginia law mandates that the murder be prosecuted in the Mathews County where Taylor's remains were discovered unless evidence is discovered that Taylor was killed in Richmond. Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney David M. Hicks will help the Mathews County Commonwealth's Attorney Jack Gill if the case is prosecuted there. Mathews County has not prosecuted a murder case in nine years, according to the Times Dispatch.
Janet Pelasara has made it clear to the media that she wants to have the death penalty when her daughter Taylor's murderer is convicted. Memorial services were held for Taylor on Friday.
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| Marilyn Bardsley |
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