The Ellis County Press: Conflicting stories permeate city hall event

Conflicting stories permeate city hall event
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Editor on 09/18/2008 10:34:00


_The Ellis County Press_
MAYPEARL - Chief Lester Taylor's reported altercation at Maypearl City Hall
Monday morning has several law enforcement officers, lawyers and local
television media questioning the official version of events.
Taylor, in a press conference to Dallas TV stations and _The Ellis County Press_
Monday morning in front of City Hall, could not be detailed in his specifics,
but the chief and Mayor Kelly Jacobson said an altercation had occurred with an
unknown suspect, who then fled the scene after kicking in the front door.
Before outside investigators arrived, reports circulated that Taylor's gun was
taken after the alleged altercation. In the press conference, Taylor had a gun
in his holster.
"I've never seen the guy in my life," Taylor said.
However, local law enforcement officers in both the Ellis County Sheriff's
Office and within the Maypearl Police Department ranks told _The Ellis County
Press_ "Taylor's story is not adding up."
"Something is very fishy," was what one defense lawyer who saw the coverage on
TV said. "Why was he [Taylor] at the city that early?"
"I know Taylor has changed his story at least three times," one licensed peace
officer from a neighboring police agency said.
Though the ECSO and a Texas Ranger investigator were on scene with two
investigators from the Ellis County/District Attorney's office, official
comments from authorities were kept to a minimum.
A KDFW Fox 4 cameraman and reporter said the lack of information was "strange"
in the case.
The ECSO law enforcement source told this news editor the city's perimeter
should have been secured, with air support and search dogs scouring the area in
search of the alleged suspect.
Investigators with the county/district attorney's office said they would soon
obtain enough evidence to obtain a search warrant on the suspect, who reportedly
left his wallet and identification at City Hall.
Maypearl Independent School District officials temporarily locked down campuses
when reports of the incident came to light.