Taylor Parker Found Guilty of Capital Murder of Woman and Child
Taylor Parker from New Boston, Texas has been found guilty by a jury in Bowie County in the kidnapping and capital murders of Reagan Hancock and her unborn baby, Braxlynn Sage Hancock.
The horrific murders occurred on Oct. 9, 2020, when the 21-year-old mother at that time was strangled, beaten, and repeatedly stabbed, with her 3-year-old daughter still in the house, according to a report from KTAL-TV. The baby was later pronounced dead at the hospital by a Texas DPS trooper.
It took a jury of six men and six women approximately one hour to deliver the verdict to the judge after hearing the charges.
Judge John Tidwell read the verdict aloud in the courtroom as Parker looked on motionless with no reaction or remorse.
The trial will now is expected to enter a second phase where the same jury will include testimony that will determine whether she will receive the death penalty or life in prison without parole. That phase of the trial is expected to begin October 12 and it is expected to last two to three weeks. Parker has opted not to participate in that part of the trial but could take the stand in the penalty phase if she is convicted.
Due to the heinous and pre-meditated nature of the crime, prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.