In a dramatic turn of events, rapper Tay-K, also known as Taymor McIntyre, has been convicted of murder once again.
The 24-year-old artist, who previously gained fame with his hit “The Race,” is already serving a 55-year sentence for another murder charge. Now, this latest conviction could add significantly to his time behind bars, as he’s found culpable for the 2017 fatal shooting of photographer Mark Anthony Saldivar.
At the time of Saldivar’s death, Tay-K was evading authorities, having escaped from house arrest. Though convicted of murder, he was spared the more severe charge of capital murder, which could have eliminated his possibility of parole altogether. This current conviction carries a potential sentence ranging from five to 99 years in prison.
The jury is set to decide whether Tay-K will serve this sentence concurrently or consecutively with his existing one. This case saw riveting testimonies, including from Tay-K’s former girlfriend, Joanna Reyes, who played a key role in the court proceedings.
Reyes, a central witness for the prosecution, herself faced accusations of being the driver during the 2017 incident. She accepted a plea bargain for a lesser charge of tampering with evidence. Her vivid courtroom testimony painted a telling picture of the tragic event.
Reyes recounted that she arranged a photoshoot with Tay-K and Saldivar. As they sat in a car, Tay-K allegedly brandished a gun at Saldivar demanding his backpack. Upon Saldivar’s refusal, chaos ensued with an alleged assault beginning.
Saldivar, attempting to escape the assault, reportedly climbed onto the hood of the vehicle. Reyes claimed that Tay-K aimed the gun at her, demanding she get Saldivar off. When she couldn’t, she alleged Tay-K leaned from the car and fired the fatal shot.
Terrified, Reyes didn’t report the shooting immediately, fearing for her life due to threats from Tay-K against her and her family. Her story revealed her inner turmoil and fear post-incident.
Furthermore, Tay-K already faces a previous conviction from a 2016 home invasion, where he was sentenced to 30 years for aggravated robbery, and additional time for other robbery charges. These sentences are currently running alongside one another.
Tay-K’s legal troubles continue to mount, reflecting a steep fall from grace for the once-rising star. As the jury deliberates on his fate, the young rapper’s future remains uncertain, overshadowed by the consequences of his actions and the testimony brought forward in court.
