Bio

Victor Dewayne Taylor was born on April 6, 1960. He grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. Not much is known about his early childhood. There are no detailed reports on his family background or upbringing.

As he grew up, Taylor became a teenager in the 1970s. During this time, he attended local schools in Louisville. He had a normal life like many other kids, but details about his interests and activities are not well-documented.

There were, however, some mentions of struggles he faced during his high school years. His life took a different path in his late teens. As he reached adulthood, he started to get involved in various activities that would later impact his life significantly.

In the early 1980s, Taylor's life began to change in ways that led him to become known for serious crimes. With this shift, he became known more for his criminal activity than for his earlier life experiences.

By September 1984, Taylor became involved in events that would lead to his arrest and conviction. His actions during this time were serious and had lasting effects on many lives. Taylor’s story is one that reflects a troubling path leading to significant legal consequences.

Murder Story

On September 29, 1984, Victor Dewayne Taylor and his cousin, George Wade, were involved in the kidnapping and murder of two high school students, Scott Christopher Nelson and Richard David Stephenson. The two boys, both 17 years old, were trying to find their way to a football game in Louisville, Kentucky when they made a stop for directions at a restaurant.

Taylor and Wade offered to help the boys find the stadium, but instead of taking them there, they drove them to a vacant lot. In that deserted area, the students were forced to remove their clothing and hand over their personal belongings. Taylor then bound and gagged the boys. During this time, one of the victims was sexually assaulted. Both Nelson and Stephenson were shot in the back of the head to prevent them from identifying their attackers.

After the killings, the crime gained wide media attention. A relative of Wade, who had seen him with a Trinity High School jacket, contacted law enforcement. This led to Wade implicating Taylor in the murders. Additionally, personal items belonging to the victims were found in Taylor's mother's home.

Victor Taylor was arrested on October 4, 1984. Following the murder trial, which was moved to Lexington due to the media coverage, Taylor was convicted on charges including kidnapping, robbery, sodomy, and murder, and was sentenced to death on May 23, 1986. Wade was also convicted and received a life sentence for his role in the crimes.

Despite efforts to appeal his conviction, Taylor remained on death row at the Kentucky State Penitentiary. In 2000, a clothing brand featured him in an advertising campaign about inmates on death row.

In 2008, DNA tests were performed at Taylor's request, but the results were inconclusive. This meant that there was not enough evidence to support claims that could overturn his conviction. Wade, while initially testifying against Taylor, later recanted his testimony but continued serving his life sentence. The case remained in the public eye, particularly because of its tragic nature and the youth of the victims.