UPDATE: Monday, Oct. 16, 7:39 p.m.

The jury returned its verdict late Monday night in the trial of West Virginia firefighter Garson Taylor.

Under count one, Taylor was found not guilty of wanton endangerment with a firearm. He was found guilty of brandishing a firearm.

Under count two, he was found not guilty of strangulation.

For count three, Taylor was found not guilty of battery.

For count four, he was found guilty of fleeing from police.

On count five, he was found guilty of obstructing an officer.

”If I had to do it all over again, I would still do it because I truly believe that at least Captain Hans’ life was in substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury and any time one of my officers are put in that situation, I’m always going to try to do my best to protect them.”

Joseph Canestraro – Prosecuting Attorney, Marshall County

”Without a doubt, we had an excellent jury. We had an excellent judge. We had a very reasonable prosecutor, and the system worked exactly the way it’s supposed to, you know. I mean, the jury worked hard. They paid attention all throughout the trial. They were all in their seats. They all listened to all the evidence. They considered all the evidence, and they reached the right verdict. We couldn’t be happier.”

Robert McCoid – Defense Attorney, Marshall County

Sentencing is scheduled in the judge’s chambers on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

UPDATE: Monday, Oct. 16, 2023

The jury is now in deliberations in the trial of West Virginia and local firefighter Garson Taylor.

The defense has rested in the trial of West Virginia and local firefighter Garson Taylor.

On Monday, body cam footage from Corporal Beck of the West Virginia State Police was played at the trial.

The prosecution questioned throughout the footage of the entire standoff and the removal of Taylor from the truck.

The defense then questioned Corporal Beck. Corporal Beck said he was trying to keep the scene safe as Taylor conversed with his father who was on the scene. 

Corporal Beck fired a bean bag round at Taylor as they were removing him from the truck because Corporal Beck said the firearm in Taylor’s hand moved from by his head to the side of his hip giving him a chance to fire the beanbag and disengage the firearm to protect the officers removing Taylor. 

Judge Wilson commented on the larger crowd that was in the court room, mentioning that it was a significant larger crowd this week.

There were people in support of Taylor in the room as well as domestic violent advocates in the gallery on the Prosecution’s side.

Judge Wilson asked before they began on Monday to cover any buttons/shirts they had that showed anything regarding domestic violence advocacy.

7News will update you with this trail as it goes on.