John Albert Taylor

rdf:langString John Albert Taylor

rdf:langString John Albert Taylor

rdf:langString John Albert Taylor

rdf:langString Draper, Utah, U.S.

rdf:langString Ogden, Utah, U.S.

rdf:langString Sexual assault, aggravated murder – December 1989, Utah

rdf:langString Carrying a concealed weapon, burglary – 1977, Florida

rdf:langString Utah State Prison mug shot

rdf:langString John Albert Taylor mugshot.jpg

rdf:langString Albert Taylor

rdf:langString Gaylene Taylor

rdf:langString John Albert Taylor (June 6, 1959 – January 26, 1996) was an American who was convicted of burglary and carrying a concealed weapon in the state of Florida, and sexual assault and murder in the state of Utah. Taylor's own sister tipped off police in June 1989 after 11-year-old Charla King was found raped and strangled to death in Washington Terrace, Utah. His fingerprints were found at the crime scene, which was located in an apartment complex where he had been staying. In December 1989, Taylor was sentenced to death and placed on death row at Utah State Prison. Taylor gave up appealing his sentence after his request for retrial was rejected by the Utah Supreme Court, though he continued to maintain his innocence. He became the second person to be executed by firing squad in the United States (after Gary Gilmore) since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. Taylor said he chose this method of execution to embarrass the state of Utah. On January 26, 1996, the day of Taylor's execution, legislation was introduced in the Utah House of Representatives to eliminate the firing squad.