Is Teen's Probation in Shooting Death of Boy, 13, Fair?

A local mom who has been outspoken about the shooting that killed her son had an emotional reaction today outside the courthouse in Cartersville.

Robert Harvell Taylor III, 13, was an eighth-grader at Bartow County Schools' Woodland Middle in Euharlee, when he died Dec. 29, 2010, at a friend's Freedom Drive home in Cartersville's Oakland Heights area.

The boy who fired the fatal shotgun round pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in Juvenile Court, reports 11 Alive, which captured video of mom Veronica Taylor's reaction the now 16-year-old boy's sentence.

The Taylor family believes Rob was shot on purpose, and points to text messages and other evidence they say was never considered by Bartow County Sheriff's Office investigators.

The boy, then 14, was not charged at the time of Rob's death, but the district attorney's office in September lodged charges against him, apparently at least in part a result of Veronica Taylor's efforts.

The judge sentenced the teen to the maximum juveniles face—two years—but ordered he serve it probation and that he receive psychiatric care, which is not available in jail, according to 11 Alive.

Veronica Taylor had this to say in Facebook post shortly after the proceeding:

"Well, the boy who killed my son is getting away with murder....he has gotten a sentence of 2 years probation.....an injustice!!! I am devasted!!! He killed someone and he gets probation!!! We get a life sentence...how is that fair??"

Here's what Patch wants to know, Cartersville and Bartow County:

Is the sentence fair? Did investigators or the judge make a mistake? What should have happened? Voice your views in the comments below.

Share your photos and videos, and don’t miss any of the local news you care about—subscribe to Cartersville Patch's newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Related Content