CA - Maurice Taylor Jr, 12 & Maliaka Taylor, 13, decapitated, Lancaster, Dec 2020 *parents arrested*

[Niner]

So, did he end up going pro se?

And how long did the jury deliberate?

No - he had an attorney.

Don;t know the exact hours - but it was done in 1 day - yesterday, Monday. Probably didn't take them that long....

 

[LaborDayRN]

No - he had an attorney.

Don;t know the exact hours - but it was done in 1 day - yesterday, Monday. Probably didn't take them that long....

I wonder how long it will be before we know

Lancaster parents convicted of decapitating their two children

The parents of a 12-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl who were found decapitated at the family's home in Lancaster in 2020 were convicted Monday of murdering the two children.

www.foxla.com

Nov. 17, 2025
LANCASTER, Calif. - The parents of a 12-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl who were found decapitated at the family's home in Lancaster in 2020 were convicted Monday of murdering the two children.
[.....]
Taylor and Brothwell were also convicted of two counts of child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death, according to the District Attorney's Office, which noted that prosecutors had proven that the couple forced their younger sons, who were then ages 8 and 9, to view their siblings' bodies and to remain confined in their bedrooms without food for several days.


The two are facing life prison terms without the possibility of parole, with sentencing set for Jan. 13 at the Lancaster courthouse, according to the District Attorney's Office.

I can't wait until sentencing takes place and we no longer have to think of these two monsters ever again! Child killers aren't very popular in prison....

 

[Niner]

Sentencing is set for 1/3/26.

 

[Kitsey]

I can’t believe that this isn’t all over the news

 

[BajaMah]

Lancaster parents convicted of decapitating their two children

The parents of a 12-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl who were found decapitated at the family's home in Lancaster in 2020 were convicted Monday of murdering the two children.

www.foxla.com

Nov. 17, 2025
LANCASTER, Calif. - The parents of a 12-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl who were found decapitated at the family's home in Lancaster in 2020 were convicted Monday of murdering the two children.
[.....]
Taylor and Brothwell were also convicted of two counts of child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death, according to the District Attorney's Office, which noted that prosecutors had proven that the couple forced their younger sons, who were then ages 8 and 9, to view their siblings' bodies and to remain confined in their bedrooms without food for several days.


The two are facing life prison terms without the possibility of parole, with sentencing set for Jan. 13 at the Lancaster courthouse, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Sentencing is set for 1/3/26.

I think it’s 1/13?

 

[BajaMah]

Sentencing is set for 1/3/26.

If you can find what time court is set for, can you post here? I’m going to try to make it to the sentencing. It’s about an hour away from me. I’ve been obsessed with this case from the beginning.

 

[Niner]

I think it’s 1/13?

Sorry - YOU are correct it is on 1/13/26 @ 8:30am.

 

[Snoopster]

Lancaster parents convicted of decapitating their two children

The parents of a 12-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl who were found decapitated at the family's home in Lancaster in 2020 were convicted Monday of murdering the two children.

www.foxla.com

Nov. 17, 2025
LANCASTER, Calif. - The parents of a 12-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl who were found decapitated at the family's home in Lancaster in 2020 were convicted Monday of murdering the two children.
[.....]
Taylor and Brothwell were also convicted of two counts of child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death, according to the District Attorney's Office, which noted that prosecutors had proven that the couple forced their younger sons, who were then ages 8 and 9, to view their siblings' bodies and to remain confined in their bedrooms without food for several days.


The two are facing life prison terms without the possibility of parole, with sentencing set for Jan. 13 at the Lancaster courthouse, according to the District Attorney's Office.

I've been busy the past couple of days and am so glad to hear that both Maurice and Natalie were found guilty. I don't think there as ever a risk o Maurice not being found guilty, but Natalie's defense tried to paint her as a victim of Maurice's. I'm glad the jury didn't buy that.

 

[LaborDayRN]

I hope these two monsters never see the light of day again, unless it's through bars.

 

[Gemmie]

I hope these two monsters never see the light of day again, unless it's through bars.

Forget bars. You can't see light through a wood box.

 

[Niner]

Future Proceedings
Date Time Type Result Location Department
01/13/2026 08:30AM Probation and Sentencing Hearing
Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Dept. - A18

11/21/2025 08:30AM Order to Show Cause Hearing
Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Dept. - A18

link: LA Court

 

[Niner]

Friday, Nov. 21st:
*Show Cause Hearing (@ 8:30am PT) – CA- Maurice Taylor, Jr. (12) & Maliaka Taylor (13) (killed on Nov. 29, 2020, found on Dec. 4, 2020, Lancaster, found decapitated) – *Maurice Jewel Taylor, Sr. (34/now 38) “father” arrested (12/4/20), charged (12/8/20) & arraigned (12/21/20) & re-arraigned (11/10/21) & re-arraigned (4/26/22) with 2 counts of felony murder & 2 counts child abuse under circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury or death (8 & 9 yr. old boys were starved for several days). Plead not guilty. $4.2M Bond.
*Natalie Sumiko Brothwell (44/now 48) “mom” charged (9/27/21) & arrested (9/28/21) & extradited to CA (10/14/21) & arraigned (11/10/21) & re-arraigned (4/26/22) with 2 counts of 1st degree murder & 2 counts of child endangerment (8 & 9 yr. old boys). Plead not guilty. $2M bond. Bond raised (10/14/21) to $4.2M. LA County
Jury selection began on 10/14/25 & ended 10/17/25.
Trial began on 10/20/25 & ended 11/14/25.
Jury starts deliberations on 11/17/25 & ended same day. Both-GUILTY of all counts. Sentencing hearing on 1/13/26.
Judge Michael D Antonovich presiding. Deputy DAs Kirsten A. Brown & Alexander F. Lara. Taylor's attorney Christopher Chaney & Brothwell's attorney Hung Phi Du.
Court info from 12/4/20 & 9/27/21 thru 10/8/25r& Jury Selection Day 1-4 (10/14-17/25) & Trial Days 1-15 (10/20-11/14/25) reference post #554 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ster-dec-2020-parents-arrested.552703/page-28
11/17/25 Monday, Trial Day 16, Verdict Watch Day 1: Taylor & Brothwell were convicted Monday of murdering the two children & also convicted of two counts of child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death, according to the District Attorney's Office, which noted that prosecutors had proven that the couple forced their younger sons, who were then ages 8 & 9, to view their siblings' bodies & to remain confined in their bedrooms without food for several days. The two are facing life prison terms without the possibility of parole, with sentencing set for 1/13/26 at the Lancaster courthouse, according to the District Attorney's Office. Next show cause hearing on 11/21/25 @ 8:30am.

 

[BajaMah]

Future Proceedings
Date Time Type Result Location Department
01/13/2026 08:30AM Probation and Sentencing Hearing
Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Dept. - A18

11/21/2025 08:30AM Order to Show Cause Hearing
Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Dept. - A18

link: LA Court

I just read that this case was tried by Prosecutors from the Sex Crime Division. I didn’t think I could be more horrified, but after learning this…My mind is wandering. This can only mean there was a sexual component to these crimes?
Absolutely sickening

 

[OneLove]

I just read that this case was tried by Prosecutors from the Sex Crime Division. I didn’t think I could be more horrified, but after learning this…My mind is wandering. This can only mean there was a sexual component to these crimes?
Absolutely sickening

Oh no... I sincerely hope this was because the case was a slam dunk to win & maybe the sex crimes prosecutors weren't as backlogged so it was offloaded to them?? Please let there be some non-sexual reason for this.

If not, will evidence/transcripts of the trial be publicly available and at what point?

 

[BajaMah]

Oh no... I sincerely hope this was because the case was a slam

Oh no... I sincerely hope this was because the case was a slam dunk to win & maybe the sex crimes prosecutors weren't as backlogged so it was offloaded to them?? Please let there be some non-sexual reason for this.

If not, will evidence/transcripts of the trial be publicly available and at what point?

dunk to win & maybe the sex crimes prosecutors weren't as backlogged so it was offloaded to them?? Please let there be some non-sexual reason for this.

If not, will evidence/transcripts of the trial be publicly available and at what point?

 

[BajaMah]

A podcaster on YouTube is trying to get the transcripts. Hopefully she can get them soon.

 

[Niner]

Future Proceedings
Date Time Type Result Location Department
01/16/2026 08:30AM Order to Show Cause Hearing
Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Dept. - A18

01/13/2026 08:30AM Probation and Sentencing Hearing
Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Dept. - A18

Past Proceedings
Date Time Type Result Location Department
11/21/2025 08:30AM Order to Show Cause Hearing
Held - Proceedings Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Dept. - A18

link: LA Court

and adding this - since I personally did not know what this involves.

In California, a show cause hearing, officially called an "Order to Show Cause" (OSC), is a court order requiring a party to appear and provide a reason or justification to a judge
. It is used when a judge needs more information before making a decision, such as whether to grant a request for a restraining order, a temporary order, or to address a violation of a current court order like those in family law cases for child custody or support. Failure to respond can result in serious legal consequences