Alabama executes Michael Shannon Taylor for 1991 killings of Etowah County couple
A physician pronounced Taylor dead at 6:10 p.m. at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility, ending a 35-year legal battle over the deaths of Ivan and Lucille Moore.
By Meera Fletcher ·
Alabama executed Michael Shannon Taylor by lethal injection on Thursday evening. A physician at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore pronounced him dead at 6:10 p.m. Attorney General Steve Marshall authorized the start of the procedure at 5:47 p.m.
Taylor was sentenced to death for the 1991 capital murders of Ivan and Lucille Moore in Etowah County. Governor Kay Ivey declined to exercise her clemency powers earlier in the evening. She directed Corrections Commissioner Greg Lovelace to proceed with the lawfully imposed sentence.
Ivey said the Moores opened their home to Taylor 35 years ago. She stated that Taylor repaid their kindness by beating them to death with a metal bar to rob them for money to buy clothing and jewelry. Ivey added that Alabama would enforce the law and not let criminals escape justice.
Marshall said the execution was long overdue for the relatives of the deceased couple. He noted that a jury swiftly found Taylor guilty on all counts and unanimously recommended death. The trial judge accepted that recommendation. Marshall also commended his Capital Litigation Division for its work on the case.
On Wednesday, Taylor had 10 visitors and five phone calls. He refused all meal trays but consumed snacks and beverages. On Thursday, he had four visitors and one phone call. He refused meals, declined a final meal request, and drank assorted beverages, according to the Alabama Department of Corrections.
Taylor was 19 years old and absent without leave from the U.S. Navy when he committed the crimes on Nov. 4, 1991. He visited the home of Ivan Moore, 83, and Lucille Moore, 79, in Gadsden. Taylor hid a barbell from his duffel bag in his shirt. He struck Ivan Moore in the head while the man looked in the refrigerator. Lucille Moore entered the kitchen and was also struck repeatedly. Both died from severe blunt-force head injuries and fractured skulls.
Taylor stole the couple's wallet, purse, checkbook, and 1986 Cadillac. He drove to Birmingham and cashed checks totaling $1,500. He made clothing and jewelry purchases over the next five days. A neighbor found the Moores on Nov. 6. Lucille Moore died on Nov. 10. Taylor was arrested in Hoover while attempting to leave in the stolen car. He confessed to the robbery and beatings. He became eligible for execution in November 2016 after exhausting direct appeals and post-conviction remedies.
