The jury came back with its verdict in the case against Ryan Taylor, a man charged with Arson after setting his mother’s car on fire with a flare in an attempt to destroy the vehicle.
The final arguments were heard yesterday morning, first from the state, then from the defense. The defense claimed Taylor was the rightful owner of the vehicle, having both possession and control of the vehicle after he said his mother gave it to him because she was moving to Florida; the state refutes that, saying his mother was still the legal owner to whom the vehicle was registered, and consequently, Taylor had no right to destroy it.
The jury was then released to deliberate on the case, and after a brief period of thought, the jury returned with the verdict: guilty.
Taylor is now convicted of Arson, and his sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 31 at 11 a.m. in the Starke Circuit Court.
