Son posts $2M bond to free Fairfield father accused of killing ex-wife

A Fairfield man is free on bond Tuesday after he was charged with killing his wife and attempting to kill his stepson in February.

News 12 Staff

May 14, 2019, 5:06 PM

Updated 1,809 days ago

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A Fairfield man is free on bond Tuesday after he was charged with killing his wife and attempting to kill his stepson in February.  
James Taylor has been in custody since the incident. On Tuesday, a judge allowed Taylor's son to put up property to post his father's $2 million bond.
The judge imposed certain conditions on his release and continued the hearing until May 22.
Taylor will have to live with his son in Southport and have to wear a GPS monitoring device, according to a judge.
He'll be under house arrest and only be able to leave for medical appointments.
The judge also says the 75-year-old must stay away from the surviving victim, Taylor's stepson, and maintain a 2,500-foot perimeter from properties on Catamount Road and Redding Road, which is where the crime happened and the victim currently lives.
Another condition of Taylor's release is he must surrender his passport. Police say shortly before the fatal shooting, Taylor withdrew a large amount of money from the bank and told the teller he was going to Costa Rica.
Taylor is charged with murder, home invasion, attempted murder, assault, burglary, and illegal discharge of a firearm.
Police say on the night of Feb. 3, Taylor broke into the home of his stepson and fatally shot his ex-wife, Catherine Taylor. They say Taylor tried to kill his stepson too, but the man was able to tackle Taylor and get the gun away from him.
In an interview with police, Taylor couldn't give specific details on what happened or recall why he attacked. 
The prosecutor told the judge he had reservations about Taylor's release, saying his stepson and stepdaughter are concerned about their safety. They detailed a pattern of violence over the years.
Taylor's stepson was in court today with his attorneys. They had no comment following the hearing.
 
 


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