STEPHEN R. TAYLOR | Stabbed 59yo Alice Vest 20 Times, Raped And Strangled Her with an Electrical Cord To Death | Sentenced to Death in Florida | For A Small Bag Of Fake Jewelry | Handwritten ALS

Stephen R. Taylor. Handwritten ALS. Commercial #10 (4.125” x 9.5”) envelope. Pmk: no date. Content unknown. Pristine.

• Classification: Murderer
• Characteristics: Rape, Robbery, Murder
• Number of victims: 1
• Date of murder: September 15, 1990
• Date of arrest: February 16, 1991
• Date of birth: September 25, 1969
• Victim profile: Alice Vest
• Method of murder: Stabbing with knife
• Location: Duval County, Florida, USA
• Status: Sentenced to death on December 9, 1991
• UPDATE: Death sentence upheld on December 20, 2018ⁱ

Murder

Stephen Taylor (hereinafter referred to as “Stephen”) was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of 59-year-old Alice Vest.

Alice Vest (hereinafter referred to as “Alice”) arrived at her mobile home around 11:30 pm on September 15, 1990. Near midnight, Stephen and Gerald Murray, Stephen’s co-defendant, were dropped off close to the victim’s neighborhood after riding around listening to the radio with a third person.

During the early morning of September September 16, 1990, a Ford Ranchero was reported missing from the same area. A passerby reported seeing the automobile near Alice’s home at around 4:30 am that morning. The automobile was found behind a car dealership near Stephen’s residence later in the day on September 16, 1990.

On the morning of September 16, 1990, a neighbor found the body of Alice in her bedroom. According to the medical examiner, Alice was sexually assaulted. She also was stabbed approximately 20 times with a knife and a pair of scissors that were found at the scene.

Alice was strangled after the stabbing, according to the medical examiner. Alice had suffered head injuries and a fractured jaw, in addition to the other injuries discovered by the medical examiner. The medical examiner determined that the fractured jaw was most likely caused by being hit with a bottle, while the other head injuries were most likely caused by being hit with a metal bar and candlestick. The bottle, metal bar, and candlestick were discovered at the crime scene. The medical examiner discovered bruises on her breasts as well.

According to trial testimony, the phone line had been severed. Trial testimony further revealed that Alice’s home had been burglarized and that jewelry was missing.

Stephen moved out of the duplex he shared with a roommate in December 1990. The following month, Stephen's former roommate removed a fence from the property. He discovered a buried bag containing jewelry while removing the fence. The ex-roommate turned over the jewelry to police and made a statement. The jewelry was discovered to have been taken from Alice's home on the night of the burglary and murder.

In January 1991, Stephen returned to the duplex with friends to see his former roommate. Stephen's former roommate saw him go into the backyard and inspect the area where he had previously removed the fence. The following month, Stephen and his friends paid another visit to Stephen's former roommate. Stephen entered the backyard and proceeded to the location where the fence had previously stood.

One of the individuals, who had arrived at the duplex with Stephen, testified that Stephen come in from the backyard with dirt on his hands. He further testified that when he questioned Stephen about what he was doing, Stephen said he was looking for something that was not where he had left it.

On February 14, 1991, the Duval County Sheriff's Office obtained blood, saliva, and hair samples from Stephen after obtaining a search warrant. Following the collection of the samples, Stephen inquired of one of the officers how long it would take for the results to be ready. The officer inquired as to why Stephen was curious. Stephen responded that he wanted to know when they were going to come get him. According to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement analyst, the sperm found on Alice's clothing matched Stephen's DNA profile.

Timothy Cowart, who had occupied the same cell as Stephen, testified at the trial. According to Cowart, Stephen said that he been part of a burglary that had gone badly. Stephen said that he and an accomplice had been robbing a mobile home when the owner arrived home and that he had stabbed and choked her.

Stephen also claimed to have strangled the victim to ensure that she was dead. Furthermore, Cowart said that Stephen claimed that the prosecution had enough evidence against him to secure a conviction. Cowart also claimed that Stephen asked for his assistance in an escape plan.

December 9, 1991: Stephen was sentenced as follows—Count I: First-Degree Murder (Alice Vest) – Death; Count II: Burglary of an Occupied Dwelling – 15 Years; Count III: Sexual Battery with Deadly Weapon – 27 Yearsⁱⁱ

Archiving Protocol:

Handled with White Gloves ab initio

Photo Pages/Sheet Protectors: Heavyweight Clear Sheet Protectors, Acid Free & Archival Safe, 8.5” x 11”, Top Load

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