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William Taylor: Wife and lover guilty of farmer's murder | William Taylor: Wife and lover guilty of farmer's murder |
(about 20 hours later) | |
The estranged wife of a wealthy farmer has been found guilty of murdering him. | The estranged wife of a wealthy farmer has been found guilty of murdering him. |
Angela Taylor and her partner Paul Cannon shared "a venomous hatred" for William Taylor as he would not divorce her, St Albans Crown Court heard. | Angela Taylor and her partner Paul Cannon shared "a venomous hatred" for William Taylor as he would not divorce her, St Albans Crown Court heard. |
The 69-year-old's skeletal remains were found waist-deep in mud by a passing fisherman near Hitchin, Hertfordshire, in February, eight months after he was reported missing. | The 69-year-old's skeletal remains were found waist-deep in mud by a passing fisherman near Hitchin, Hertfordshire, in February, eight months after he was reported missing. |
Taylor and Cannon were both convicted of murder and arson. | Taylor and Cannon were both convicted of murder and arson. |
The pair will be sentenced on Friday and Judge Michael Kay QC told them: "There is only once sentence that can be passed and it will be a life sentence." | The pair will be sentenced on Friday and Judge Michael Kay QC told them: "There is only once sentence that can be passed and it will be a life sentence." |
Gwyn Griffiths, 60 who was a colleague of Cannon and from Folkestone, Kent, was cleared of conspiracy to murder. | |
Mr Taylor was reported missing by his lodger on 4 June 2018. Several days before he went missing his Land Rover was set on fire. | Mr Taylor was reported missing by his lodger on 4 June 2018. Several days before he went missing his Land Rover was set on fire. |
DNA found in the torched car matched that of Cannon. | DNA found in the torched car matched that of Cannon. |
Taylor, 53, and Cannon, 54, fantasised about killing Mr Taylor, who was known as Bill, in explicit messages sent to each other on WhatsApp, their trial heard. | Taylor, 53, and Cannon, 54, fantasised about killing Mr Taylor, who was known as Bill, in explicit messages sent to each other on WhatsApp, their trial heard. |
Messages read in court spoke about "the best way" to kill the farmer and hurt his family. They included references to pickaxes, chainsaws and barbed wire. | Messages read in court spoke about "the best way" to kill the farmer and hurt his family. They included references to pickaxes, chainsaws and barbed wire. |
Various scenarios were discussed in the messages and Taylor described them as "a turn-on". | Various scenarios were discussed in the messages and Taylor described them as "a turn-on". |
On the night Mr Taylor disappeared, Cannon sent a message which said: "Just watching Kill Bill 2 lol." | On the night Mr Taylor disappeared, Cannon sent a message which said: "Just watching Kill Bill 2 lol." |
Cannon told police officers: "Messages between Angela and me related to no more than fantasy and banter of an extreme nature." | |
Angela Taylor said she had sent the messages "out of frustration" as Mr Taylor was "getting on her nerves". | Angela Taylor said she had sent the messages "out of frustration" as Mr Taylor was "getting on her nerves". |
Earlier in the trial, prosecutor John Price QC said: "It will become apparent that he and she shared and encouraged in each other in a venomous hatred for William Taylor. They loathed him." | Earlier in the trial, prosecutor John Price QC said: "It will become apparent that he and she shared and encouraged in each other in a venomous hatred for William Taylor. They loathed him." |
Experts told the court that it was impossible to determine a cause of death because Mr Taylor's body was so badly decomposed. | Experts told the court that it was impossible to determine a cause of death because Mr Taylor's body was so badly decomposed. |
The farmer was still wearing his boots and blue overalls when his remains were found. | The farmer was still wearing his boots and blue overalls when his remains were found. |
The defence argued Mr Taylor probably died after getting "stuck in mud" and might have gone to the area for a picnic. | The defence argued Mr Taylor probably died after getting "stuck in mud" and might have gone to the area for a picnic. |
Forensic pathologist Dr Charlotte Randall said there was no sign of blunt force injuries, no gunshot or stab wounds and no evidence of toxic substances. | Forensic pathologist Dr Charlotte Randall said there was no sign of blunt force injuries, no gunshot or stab wounds and no evidence of toxic substances. |
But the court heard there was a "possible fracture" to the hyoid bone in the neck, which could have been due to compression. | But the court heard there was a "possible fracture" to the hyoid bone in the neck, which could have been due to compression. |