6 months ago
A Lizella teenager accused of killing a man outside a Bibb County gas station told a judge Wednesday that he's not guilty.
Javone Taylor was arraigned Wednesday morning before Judge Martha Christian at the Bibb County jail.
He's charged with felony murder, armed robbery, and other charges.
Back in September, he was accused of shooting Jaymal Patel of Sandersville in the parking lot of the RaceWay at 5127 Mercer University Drive.
Taylor's father, Douglas Taylor, says he founded a non-profit group called "Lokey" 14 years ago. He says he tries to keep kids off the street and give them positive role models.
"We picked up those that did not have all the things they needed, we took some to special events, football games, basketball games," said Taylor.
He says Javone volunteered for Lokey and took care of his younger siblings. He says he was shocked when he found out about the killing, but says Javone's actions took a turn for the worse, in the year before the shooting.
"I think hanging out with the wrong crowd," said Taylor.
Douglas says about age 15, Javone was charged with breaking and entering, then simple battery. Douglas says Javone's record kept him out of public school and a job program.
Douglas called the killing horrendous and says his heart bleeds for the Patel family. As a parent, Douglas says he takes part of the responsibility but hopes others will learn from his son's story.
Douglas says Javone pled not guilty because he did not intend to kill Patel that night.
He also says his son was not a drinker and firmly believes if Javone had not been drinking that night, Jaymal Patel would still be alive.
Patel was the third man killed at Central Georgia convenience stores in about seven weeks.
Taylor is being held without bond in the Bibb County jail, where he turned 17 last fall.
