Competency issues linger in e-mailed threats case
PROVO — A man convicted of threatening public officials brushed off his attorney Wednesday, demanded the original files of his competency review and asked a prosecutor to represent him before he was physically removed from a 4th District Court room.
Bradley Roberts Taylor, 43, was convicted by a jury in November of making threats against life and property after he e-mailed Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert and other elected officials and talked about "bloody revolutions," taking justice into his own hands and using "lethal force."
Taylor claimed he had been wronged by the government and wanted a DUI conviction dismissed. However, court searches reveal no such conviction.
He was set to be sentenced in March, but defense attorney Tom Means requested another review into his mental competency. Previously, two doctors had found him competent, and one had found him incompetent.
Wednesday's hearing was supposed to be a discussion of two new reviews, but Taylor told Judge Lynn Davis that he didn't want Means to be his attorney anymore, and that he was concerned that one of the doctors hadn't done an official evaluation.
Taylor also said he believed the competency-review process was taking too long and was violating his rights.
Davis reminded the handcuffed defendant of several hearings for which he had refused to be transported from jail, or in which he came, but refused to cooperate with his attorney.
After Taylor requested to represent himself, which was granted, he immediately demanded the two doctors' reports, which Davis gave to his law clerk to make copies.
"By law, you are the judge. You are supposed to provide me a copy," Taylor said as two deputies moved to stand on either side of him.
"That's what we're doing right now," Davis said.
"I'd like the real deal, not a copy," Taylor said. "I don't want to see an exact copy. I want to see the exact original."
Taylor said he was concerned the documents would somehow be falsified in the copy process, but Davis allowed him to view each set to verify their truthfulness.
Taylor wanted to look at the documents at the lectern but was told he could look at them back in a holding cell.
"You can't by law lay a hand on me until I finish with my hearing," Taylor told the deputies, who had moved in closer.
Davis assured him he was done with his hearing, and the deputies began to take him away.
As he was being escorted out, he turned to prosecutor David Sturgill and asked if he would represent him.
"This is illegal," he kept repeating as he was taken out.
Taylor will be in court again, representing himself, June 17.
E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com
Comments
- Climate drama climax looks elusive 8:46 a.m.
- Russian nightclub fire kills 109 8:38 a.m.
- Texas-Neb. will impact other games 8:35 a.m.
- Day 2 of U.S.-Afghan offensive 8:34 a.m.
- Senators target insurance exec pay 8:32 a.m.
- Gunmen kill 3 peacekeepers in Darfur 8:29 a.m.
- This weekend on TV 8:28 a.m.
- George lost in rivalry hatefest 1:33 a.m.
- Paul returns after being out 1:04 a.m.
- Nets finally win 1:04 a.m.
- Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
- Mr. Football 2009: Tuni Kanuch
- 5A high school football All-State
- 4A high school football: All-State
- Miller predicted Tiger's rough road
- Utah Jazz going green with unis
- Nutty Putty Cave to be sealed today
- Harpring's NBA career is over
- MVPs wrap up stellar prep careers
- Jazz: Miles, Kirilenko to play Friday
- Hall reprimanded by MWC
410 - Why is Y. ignoring spew of hatred?
294 - BYU says Hall incident resolved
247 - Letters: Liberal because LDS
238 - 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
189 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
185 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
179 - Max Hall: a fixture in rivalry lore
118 - N.Y. Senate rejects gay marriage
118 - Unbeaten BYU takes trip to Logan
104
Trolley Square's annual Holiday Open House will feature visits with...
That does it — I'm having an affair! Thanks to Tiger Woods, David...
First, a big thank you to all who posted questions here for me to ask...
How soon we forget that in a similar situation during the Bush administration...
Sounds like you have some self-imposed family-related insecurities aggravated...
Dick Harmon is a highly skilled writer. One of the best.Sometimes the beauty...
"EnergySolutions has proposed to process 20,000 tons of Italian waste in...
Let's hope the weather holds up as well as the defense.
"rise of indignant rivalry victimhood." Dick, you are wrong if you think...
Conservation is and of itself should be applauded. However it has become a...
Leaving behind the common sense principle of not continually borrowing and...
I think there is some truth to what the professors say. Mr. Beck seems to be...
The shameful list is growing: Morgan Scalley Alex Smith Paul Kruger...



You can be the first to comment on this story.