Wynn’s son, Jerod Bryson, 25, died in 2007 during a drug-related, execution-style killing. A jury just before noon Friday found Gudonavon Taylor guilty on all six charges related to Bryson’s murder. Prosecutors said Taylor, then 17, “executed” Bryson in the 200 block of Warren Street during an argument about drug money, shooting him “over and over and over again.”
Bryson’s family cried quietly as members of Taylor’s family left the court room while the verdict was read.
Taylor had little reaction before led away in handcuffs. His sentencing date has been set for April 6 at 9 a.m.
“I am happy that justice has been served,” Wynn said. “My son can rest in peace. He never got to see his 2-year-old baby and we loved him.”
Taylor’s mother, Gloria Coles, said defense attorneys plan to ask for a retrial.
“There was only one black (juror),” she said. “I don’t think it was fair. He is innocent and whole world will know he’s innocent. I told my son (last night) to pray and God will answer your prayers.”
Minutes after the first verdict came, a separate jury found Richard Evans guilty on all charges for the beating death of Stephen Moody last summer.
Evans’ sentencing date is set for April 15 at 11 a.m. The 30-year-old faces life in prison for pistol-whipping Moody during a series of fights outside the Higgins Station bar in Trotwood last September.
Moody, 31, spent several days in a coma and never regained consciousness, police said. He died on Oct. 4 at Miami Valley Hospital. Witnesses said Moody was trying to break up a fight outside the bar and got caught in the fray.
“He wasn’t a club person and he was a real quiet person,” his mother Rhonda Moody said after the verdict was read. “I forgive (Evans) and I will pray for him. As a child of God that is what I am supposed to do.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2494 or lsullivan@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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