- Second conviction adds to existing 55-year sentence for 2016 homicide
- Jury rejected capital murder charge but found guilty of lesser murder count
- Case involved botched photography session robbery leading to fatal shooting
- Defense claimed flawed police investigation with unreliable witness accounts
- The Racesingle recorded while fugitive from previous charges
In a stunning legal development, Texas hip-hop artist Taymor McIntyre (known professionally as Tay-K) has been found guilty of murder for the second time in seven years. The 23-year-old rapper now faces up to life imprisonment with parole eligibility for the 2017 killing of San Antonio photographer Mark Anthony Saldivar. This verdict comes while McIntyre already serves a 55-year term for his role in a separate 2016 Mansfield home invasion that left 21-year-old Ethan Walker dead.
Court documents reveal the incident began when McIntyre arranged a photography session with Saldivar under the guise of creating promotional material for new music. Prosecutors demonstrated through forensic evidence and witness testimony that the meeting turned violent when McIntyre attempted to rob the photographer. Legal analysts note this case highlights growing concerns about violent crime rates among young entertainers, with Texas seeing a 17% increase in felony charges against music industry figures since 2020.
McIntyre's defense team argued vigorously against the murder charge, pointing to inconsistencies in police reports and the lack of physical evidence directly linking their client to the weapon. This conviction sets dangerous precedent for relying on circumstantial evidence in celebrity trials,said criminal attorney Mara Goldstein, who was not involved in the case. When high-profile defendants are involved, jurors often subconsciously weigh artistic persona against factual evidence.
The sentencing phase brings new scrutiny to Texas’ three-strikes laws, which mandate life imprisonment for repeat violent offenders. A 2023 study by the University of Houston Law Center found that Bexar County imposes life sentences at 38% higher rate than Harris County for similar charges. This regional disparity raises questions about sentencing consistency in high-profile cases.
Industry observers note the case underscores the music industry’s ongoing struggle with criminal associations. Since 2015, at least 14 charting rap artists have faced serious felony charges – a trend that’s prompted record labels to implement mandatory legal compliance training for new signees. The controversial practice of using lyrics as courtroom evidence, currently banned in three states, remains admissible in Texas proceedings.