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

  • #541
7) I find the 'story' that Malaika comes running into the hall saying 'they're not demons, take me' a bit unbelievable. Surely she wouldn't have had time to completely understand what was going on.
I'd put more weight on that statement if one of the 2 surviving siblings said it, and more weight if they both stated that when interviewed separately (corroborating stories), and a whole lot less weight to it if N said it. JMO
 
  • #542
WARNING!! GRAPHIC AND UPSETTING COMMENTS BELOW. READ WITH CAUTION!





While I can believe that an isolated person who has been emotionally abused could be traumatized and therefore 'play along' with the abuser, a few things in NB's defense opening gives me doubt in this defense (of course this is without the benefit of seeing any evidence yet) in my opinion.

1) defense says the kids generally consider parents as a unit, using the term "mom and dad" to mean either parent, and defense says surviving kids have false memories. This seems to be setting the stage for testimony from the kids that implicates NB.

2) defense says NB was sent to kitchen to clean up after Jr was killed. This might be to counter the expected testimony from the kids where they said they saw their mother going to the kitchen to get more killing tools [per the prosecution's opening statement]. I find it difficult to believe that, if MT was going through a psychotic killing frenzy he would worry about cleaning stuff up in the middle of it.

3) defense says NB grew up in an environment surrounded by paranoia, which left her predisposed to paranoia. Doesn't this imply that she could have had the same paranoia as MT? How does this help her defense?

4) defense makes mention of a damaging clip showing NB inappropriately disciplining her children. It seems that defense it trying to get out ahead of this damaging piece of evidence about NB's parental behavior. I wonder what's in this clip. It must be bad.

5) the order of events is confusing. If MT was in a psychotic state, why didn't NB follow MT to Junior's room. Why did she go to Mx/Mt's room? Why was she calming them if screams and banging were coming from Junior's room? Are we to believe that it was only THEN that NB went to see what was going on?

6) NB apparently walked into Junior's room to see that he was dead. She kneeled down to check his pulse (was he already decap'd at this point??) getting blood all over her. Was this all to explain why the boys saw her bloody, going to the kitchen?

7) I find the 'story' that Malaika comes running into the hall saying 'they're not demons, take me' a bit unbelievable. Surely she wouldn't have had time to completely understand what was going on.
Very good points
 
  • #543
WARNING!! GRAPHIC AND UPSETTING COMMENTS BELOW. READ WITH CAUTION!





While I can believe that an isolated person who has been emotionally abused could be traumatized and therefore 'play along' with the abuser, a few things in NB's defense opening gives me doubt in this defense (of course this is without the benefit of seeing any evidence yet) in my opinion.

1) defense says the kids generally consider parents as a unit, using the term "mom and dad" to mean either parent, and defense says surviving kids have false memories. This seems to be setting the stage for testimony from the kids that implicates NB.

2) defense says NB was sent to kitchen to clean up after Jr was killed. This might be to counter the expected testimony from the kids where they said they saw their mother going to the kitchen to get more killing tools [per the prosecution's opening statement]. I find it difficult to believe that, if MT was going through a psychotic killing frenzy he would worry about cleaning stuff up in the middle of it.

3) defense says NB grew up in an environment surrounded by paranoia, which left her predisposed to paranoia. Doesn't this imply that she could have had the same paranoia as MT? How does this help her defense?

4) defense makes mention of a damaging clip showing NB inappropriately disciplining her children. It seems that defense it trying to get out ahead of this damaging piece of evidence about NB's parental behavior. I wonder what's in this clip. It must be bad.

5) the order of events is confusing. If MT was in a psychotic state, why didn't NB follow MT to Junior's room. Why did she go to Mx/Mt's room? Why was she calming them if screams and banging were coming from Junior's room? Are we to believe that it was only THEN that NB went to see what was going on?

6) NB apparently walked into Junior's room to see that he was dead. She kneeled down to check his pulse (was he already decap'd at this point??) getting blood all over her. Was this all to explain why the boys saw her bloody, going to the kitchen?

7) I find the 'story' that Malaika comes running into the hall saying 'they're not demons, take me' a bit unbelievable. Surely she wouldn't have had time to completely understand what was going on.
What do you think about MT’s clients (more than one), stating that NB would call and yell and at him repeatedly, at work? The clients made her out to sound quite aggressive.
I also question why she didn’t put the little boys out through the bedroom or bathroom window, and tell them to run to the neighbors if she was supposedly trying to protect them?
 
  • #544
What do you think about MT’s clients (more than one), stating that NB would call and yell and at him repeatedly, at work? The clients made her out to sound quite aggressive.
I also question why she didn’t put the little boys out through the bedroom or bathroom window, and tell them to run to the neighbors if she was supposedly trying to protect them?
Put this with number 4 of snoops post and imo that equals an abusive person. Perhaps they were/are both mentally ill. Unless we hear more about the evidence, I guess we’ll be grappling to come up with anything.

Does anyone thing there will be an evidence dump when the trial is over?
 
  • #545
Put this with number 4 of snoops post and imo that equals an abusive person. Perhaps they were/are both mentally ill. Unless we hear more about the evidence, I guess we’ll be grappling to come up with anything.

Does anyone thing there will be an evidence dump when the trial is over?
I hope so. That may be the only way we'll find out what really happened in court.
 
  • #546
It really is frustrating not being able to know what's going on in court. I'm guessing that there is a battle going on. They're probably each blaming the other. Personally I think they are both guilty as sin and should be put away for life.
 
  • #547
It really is frustrating not being able to know what's going on in court. I'm guessing that there is a battle going on. They're probably each blaming the other. Personally I think they are both guilty as sin and should be put away for life.
I know! Hard to believe that not one news station is covering this. I’ve contacted the local paper as well as many other news sources. Nothing.
 
  • #548
I will never forget about these four kids. The two that lost their lives and the two who experienced unimaginable trauma.
Let's keep them in the light.

And, yes, I understand the CrimeTV and Law & Crime don't generally follow cases that don't have live courtroom coverage, but these kids deserve to recognized and remembered.
 
  • #549
Oops - looks like trial today also.


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

11/14/2025 08:30AM Jury Trial in Progress
Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Dept. - A18

Past Proceedings
Date Time Type Result Location Department
11/13/2025 08:30AM Jury Trial in Progress
Held - Proceedings Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Dept. - A18

link: LA Court
 
  • #550
Friday, Nov. 14th:
*Trial continues (Day 15) (@ 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.
Show Cause hearing on 11/21/25 @ 8:30am.
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 1-13 (10/20-11/5/25) reference post #536 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ster-dec-2020-parents-arrested.552703/page-27

11/13/25 Thursday, Trial Day 14: No info available. Trial continues on Friday, 11/14/25. Then Show Cause hearing on 11/21/25.
 
  • #551
Looks like jury is going to start delibrations.


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

11/17/2025 08:30AM Jury Trial Deliberations
Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Dept. - A18

Past Proceedings
Date Time Type Result Location Department
11/14/2025 08:30AM Jury Trial in Progress
Held - Jury Trial Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Dept. - A18

link: LA Court
 
  • #552
Looks like jury is going to start delibrations.


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

11/17/2025 08:30AM Jury Trial Deliberations
Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Dept. - A18

Past Proceedings
Date Time Type Result Location Department
11/14/2025 08:30AM Jury Trial in Progress
Held - Jury Trial Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Dept. - A18

link: LA Court
I'm praying they both get the maximum allowed by law but worried they won't. Have any of you watched the video's of Maurice Taylor at his arraignment back in 2020? There are several video's on law and crime.
 
  • #553
I'm praying they both get the maximum allowed by law but worried they won't. Have any of you watched the video's of Maurice Taylor at his arraignment back in 2020? There are several video's on law and crime.
Wow. I am shocked that judge was so patient with him. He should have told him he (the judge) was not the proper person to whom to relay all these concerns he has, and that there are proper channels he needs to follow. Continuing the way he was, was just wasting the Court's time.

I think he needs a competency evaluation, which I would expect him to have no problem with, since it will get him out of the county jail, if only temporarily, and that's obviously his immediate concern. He's so worried about the other inmates (and possibly the guards too!) wanting to kill him, and he's probably right about that. There probably really are a number of inmates who would try to kill him if they got a chance. But that's what Segregation is for.

Pretty sure they already are housing him separately from other inmates, but I think he was claiming that during transport to and from court, other inmates are transported with him, and that the inmates know that's their only chance to get to him, so he fears for his life every time he goes to court.

Well, he may have good reason to be afraid. But that's what guards are for. And that's what inmate restraints are for. And there's probably a seat in the transport van or bus that is built specifically for an inmate who needs separation to be seated in. The one I've seen personally was like a cage basically with just two walls made of something like what a chain metal fence is made of, sitting right on the bench seat of an inmate van. It locked, and the inmate sitting in it would be sitting directly next to another inmate, but was perfectly safe from harm by them due to the metal barrier separating them.

No matter how many inmates (and possibly guards) there may be who do might want him dead, I think the jail authorities have safeguards in place and are using them to protect the life of this inmate, who allegedly took the lives of 2 of his own little children. IMO
 
  • #554
Monday, November 17th:
*Trial continues (Day 16)-VERDICT WATCH! (@ 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.
Show Cause hearing on 11/21/25 @ 8:30am.
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 1-14 (10/20-11/13/25) reference post #550 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ster-dec-2020-parents-arrested.552703/page-28

11/14/25 Friday, Trial Day 15: No info available, Trial continues on Monday, 11/17/25 with jury deliberations. Then Show Cause hearing on 11/21/25.
 
  • #555
He's so worried about the other inmates (and possibly the guards too!) wanting to kill him, and he's probably right about that. There probably really are a number of inmates who would try to kill him if they got a chance. But that's what Segregation is for.

Well, he may have good reason to be afraid.
(SBMFF)

And he thought his children were the demons. smh It's kinda ironic that he's (likely) forever housed in a place a lot of people think are demon filled. Not actual "demons" (although some may actually think that), but people, like him IMO, that act like demons and do very, very bad things.

Looks like he didn't think through his actions on that horrible night! Oh, so sad... Not.
 
  • #556
Wow. I am shocked that judge was so patient with him. He should have told him he (the judge) was not the proper person to whom to relay all these concerns he has, and that there are proper channels he needs to follow. Continuing the way he was, was just wasting the Court's time.

I think he needs a competency evaluation, which I would expect him to have no problem with, since it will get him out of the county jail, if only temporarily, and that's obviously his immediate concern. He's so worried about the other inmates (and possibly the guards too!) wanting to kill him, and he's probably right about that. There probably really are a number of inmates who would try to kill him if they got a chance. But that's what Segregation is for.

Pretty sure they already are housing him separately from other inmates, but I think he was claiming that during transport to and from court, other inmates are transported with him, and that the inmates know that's their only chance to get to him, so he fears for his life every time he goes to court.

Well, he may have good reason to be afraid. But that's what guards are for. And that's what inmate restraints are for. And there's probably a seat in the transport van or bus that is built specifically for an inmate who needs separation to be seated in. The one I've seen personally was like a cage basically with just two walls made of something like what a chain metal fence is made of, sitting right on the bench seat of an inmate van. It locked, and the inmate sitting in it would be sitting directly next to another inmate, but was perfectly safe from harm by them due to the metal barrier separating them.

No matter how many inmates (and possibly guards) there may be who do might want him dead, I think the jail authorities have safeguards in place and are using them to protect the life of this inmate, who allegedly took the lives of 2 of his own little children. IMO
But I want him to be afraid. :mad:
 
  • #557

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.
 
  • #558
Future Proceedings
Date Time Type Result Location Department
11/21/2025 08:30AM Order to Show Cause Hearing
Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Dept. - A18

Past Proceedings
Date Time Type Result Location Department
11/17/2025 08:30AM Jury Trial Deliberations [GUILTY]
Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Dept. - A18

link: LA Court
 
  • #559
Update!

Monday, November 17th:
*Trial continues (Day 16)-VERDICT REACHED! (@ 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.
 
  • #560
I'm really glad that no one will be forced to suffer thru a trial where is acting as his own lawyer. I feel it would be exhausting and nauseating, tbh. JMO

ETA Oh, I thought they pled guilty, so there wasn't going to be a trial! But reading the fine print again, I guess there already was the trial, and it's now over. We just didn't have any live reporting of it, so I was confused. So that video above that I commented on must have been from before trial even started. I just assumed it was current.

So, did he end up going pro se?

And how long did the jury deliberate?
 

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