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William Edgar Taylor (centre) says he is not guilty of murder and will appeal the court’s decision following a week and a half of testimony from witnesses. Left is RCMP Const. Terry Link. ©Provost News File Photo.
Print version in February 14 edition of The Provost News.
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18 Years Without Parole For 2nd Degree Murder
One of two men charged with the murder of a man in Hayter, Alberta has received a life prison term with a minimum of 18 years behind bars before parole eligibility.
Crown prosecutor Ashley Finlayson told The Provost News in a telephone interview the day the sentence came down, Thursday, February 8 that Justice Vital Ouelette found 26 year old William Edgar Taylor guilty of the second degree murder of 23 year old Timothy Salsman in August 2004.
The trial ran in Edmonton from January 22 with arguments concluding February 2 and a verdict reached on February 5.
Finlayson said that Taylor could be in jail for the rest of his life and must first serve the full 18 years before parole consideration, adding that aggravating factors included the disposal of Salsman’s body, which has not been found.
Taylor maintains his innocence and says he will appeal the guilty verdict.
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There were an estimated nine civilian witnesses and about eight police and expert witnesses called to testify.
The evidence of Lee Morgan “was important” in the case, says Finlayson who added that man had been (but is not any more) in a witness protection program.
Taylor had been originally charged with first degree murder but the judge found reasonable doubt that Salsman had been tied up at the time of his beating in a Hayter basement house. Morgan, who was present at the time said he saw Salsman covered in blood laying in a fetal position by a post in the basement. If it was ruled that Salsman had been confined (tied up), then first degree murder charges would have stood.
Court heard that Salsman, who was intoxicated was first beaten up in a Provost bar and was almost unconscious when taken away in the back of a pick-up truck to the Hayter residence. He was then carried or helped into the house while he was still almost unconscious. Finlayson said that court heard Taylor cut Salsman’s arms and legs with a power saw while he was still alive and unable to defend himself, and all Salsman could do, according to Morgan who watched, was moan in response to cutting with the saw.
Salsman and Morgan were, according to Taylor, drug runners for another man who was in the basement at the time.
Morgan left the basement while Salsman, who owed another man $1500 over a drug debt was being tortured.
Rest of story in February 14 edition of The Provost News.
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Time Off an Issue, as Teachers Vote for Strike Action
• Pay Raise of 9.5% Over 3 Years Offered
Three hundred and twenty-five of 332 Buffalo Trail teachers have voted 90 percent in favour of strike action according to the Alberta Teachers’ Association.
Rest of story in February 14 edition of The Provost News.
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4-H Turning 90
Full story in February 14 edition of The Provost News.
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Street Spokesman
This week we ask : "We Will Get More Weeks of Daylight Savings Time This Year. Good or Bad For You?"
. . . and we heard opinions from Ryan Fluney, Harvey Degner, Lisa Bischke, Clayton Parker, and Troy Ruttan.
Check out the February 14 edition of The Provost News for their answers.
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This, along with many other stories and pictures can be found in this week's edition of The Provost News.
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