Judge denies bond modification for Elm Street shooting suspect

Shooting suspect Marshawn Taylor appeared in Christian Circuit Court on Wednesday where a motion to reduce his bond was denied by Circuit Judge Andrew Self.

Taylor was arrested in 2021 in connection to the shooting of 27-year-old Marka Smith of Owensboro. Smith sustained gunshot wounds to the wrist and hip while she was sitting in a vehicle in the 100 block of North Elm Street.

Taylor’s defense attorney, Eric Bearden says Taylor is currently on parole for a separate charge, so if he were to be released on bond, he would still be under the supervision of a parole officer. Bearden also shared that he had spoken with Taylor’s family and noted that they would be able to support him if his bond was reduced.

However, Self said he was not sure if he could trust Taylor to not be a danger to himself or others if he were to be released from custody.

This led to Self denying Bearden’s bond motion for Taylor who will reappear in court on September 18 for his final pretrial conference, before his trial starts on October 10.