Tay-K might not have been the triggerman in a deadly home invasion robbery that killed its homeowner last year. Tay-K is facing a capital murder charge for committing a murder during a robbery. He was one of seven people arrested for the murder of 21-year-old Ethan Walker during a July 26, 2016 home invasion robbery in Mansfield, TX.
Tay-K, whose real name is Taymor McIntyre, appeared in a Tarrant County courtroom Wednesday wearing a red jumpsuit. A judge officially certified the 17-year-old controversial rapper to stand trial as an adult in the capital murder case.
Tay-K’s attorney, Trent Loftin, alleges there is no evidence that suggests the teen rapper was the shooter during the home invasion robbery in a statement issued to the press following the hearing.
Loftin wrote, “…After a full day hearing with numerous officers testifying under oath, officers testified there was no evidence that Mr. McIntyre engaged in any of the violent act or possessed any weapons. Mr. McIntyre remains upbeat after this hearing. I believe once all of the evidence is presented, Mr. McIntyre will be exonerated on all of the charges. We look forward to moving ahead.”
If Tay-K wasn’t the shooter then who was?
The charges amongst the co-defendants suggest Sean Robinson was the gunman.
Robinson was arrested 16 days after the crime on Aug. 11, and is being held on $800,000 bail. He faces a charge of capital murder, attempted capital murder and two counts of aggravated robbery.
The capital murder charge is the result of Ethan Walker’s death during the robbery. Another resident of the home was shot in the shoulder during a struggle with a robber, presumably Robinson given his added charge of attempted capital murder.
Tay-K helped plan the robbery with Robinson and other suspects on the night of Monday, July 25, 2016. Two women, Megan Holt, 19, and Ariana Bharrat, 20, were pawns used to gain entry into the home that night.
Megan, Ariana and an unnamed woman drove to Ethan’s home to smoke marijuana. A total of three residents were at the home.
Bharrat and Holt began “acting weird, going in and out of the room,” the unnamed witness stated in an affidavit. Holt went to the kitchen to get a drink of water three times in 20 minutes.
The witness could see a group text message of “hit a lick” and “is it a go” on Ariana’s phone. Megan’s name was also reportedly in the group text. “Hit a lick” means to rob a person or burglarize a home.
It wasn’t long before a group that included Tay-K, 17, Latharian Merritt, 22, Sean, 22, charged into the home with weapons. A resident told authorities he believes one of the women unlocked the front door.
The home invaders stole drugs and money. Walker was shot as the robbers ran out the front door and later died from his injury at John Peter Smith Hospital In Fort Worth, TX.
The resident who let the women into the house was shot in the shoulder when he fought with a robber. A third resident was injured and treated at the scene.
The three women fled the house behind the robbers and drove away in Megan’s car.
Megan and Ariana were arrested on July 27 and July 28, 2016, respectively. The two women face a charge of capital murder, and are being held on $500,000 in Tarrant County Jail.
Latharian was arrested on Aug. 3, 2016 and being held at $145,000 bail. He faces a capital murder charge.
Four juveniles, including Tay-K, were also arrested. A teen girl was the first juvenile arrested, and ordered released on house arrest. Prosecutors attempted to have the girl certified as an adult in the case, but were unsuccessful.
Tay-K was also lucky to be released on house arrest as it went against prosecutors’ wishes. Tay-K still decided to cut off his ankle monitor in March, and make a run for it. Unfortunately for Tay-K, U.S. Marshalls captured him on Friday, June 30 in New Jersey, and extradited him to Fort Worth, Texas.
Tay-K’s attorneys are confident “The Race” rapper will beat his case.
Tay-K now has entertainment lawyer James McMillan representing him, according to the New York Times. McMillan is known for representing Kodak Black who is battling his own legal troubles.
Tay-K, McMillan said, “has this dire situation on his back, but this opportunity on the other hand. I’m tasked with trying to make sure we maximize his opportunities so he can mount as strong of a criminal defense as possible.”
Loftin told The New York Times that the rapper “is ready for his day in court,” adding the teen was “upbeat and in good spirits.”
Loftin believes Tay-K will be cleared of all of charges.
“Since Day 1, Mr. McIntyre has cooperated with law enforcement entities and maintained his innocence,” Loftin said. “We feel confident when all of the evidence is reviewed, Mr. McIntyre will be exonerated of all of the charges.”
Tay-K’s legal woes don’t end with the home invasion case. He is a suspect in another murder in San Antonio after fleeing house arrest, the Star-Telegram reports.
He is also accused of beating and robbing a 65-year-old man in Arlington’s Craven Park.
Tay-K gained popularity when he released his “The Race” music video upon his capture by U.S. Marshalls. Tay-K posed with his own wanted flier in the visual. Tay-K also calls himself a shooter like slain Chicago rapper Young Pappy.
He raps, “I tote 50s, I’m a shooter like Young Pappy/B***h tried rob me, make her dance, Michael Jackson.”
