Date: 04-03-2013

Case Style: State of Arizona v. Louis Cuen Taylor

Case Number:

Judge: Richard Fields

Court: Superior Court, Pima County, Arizona

Plaintiff's Attorney: Rick Unklesbay

Defendant's Attorney: Edward F. Novak

Description: The State of Arizona charged Louis Taylor, age 19, with the deaths of 29 people in conjunction with a fire at the Pioneer Hotel in Tucson, Arizona in 1970. He was sentenced to life and was imprisoned for 42 years.

Taylor denied that he was guilty of crimes alleged.

Taylor entered a new plea (no contest) on April 2, 2013, which sets aside his original conviction — 28 counts of felony murder and a life sentence — and gives him credit for time already served.

Mr. Taylor was released from prison.

Despite questions and the guilt of Taylor, prosecutors took the position that the State would oppose any clemency for Taylor with vigor.

The judge who presided over the original trial was skeptical about Taylor's guilt and communicated with him regularly during his incarceration.

The Arizona Justice Project, which works on behalf of inmates believed to be wrongly convicted, said prosecutor's committed misconduct at Taylor's original trial when they neglected to inform his defense team that no accelerants had been found at the hotel.

Outcome: Defendant was found guilty and give credit for time served and was released.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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