Rising Texas rapper Tay-K’s capital murder began earlier this week and was found guilty of murder and robbery on Friday (July 19), according to NBC Dallas-Fort Worth.
Before the trial began, “The Race” rapper pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated robbery and not guilty to capital murder as well as an added count of aggravated robbery.
Back in 2016, Tay-K, born Taymor MIntyre, and six associates were accused of a home invasion that resulted in the murder of 21-year-old Ethan Walker and left his roommate and girlfriend injured. While on house arrest in 2017, Tay-K and another suspect cut off their ankle monitor and went on the run for three months.
The incident inspired his viral single “The Race,” which peaked at No. 44 on the Billboard Hot 100 before he was captured. While on the run, he was accused of murdering a 23-year-old photographer, Mark Anthony Saldivar, in San Antonio and an assault on a 65-year-old Texas man. He was eventually captured in New Jersey and extradited to Texas.
After a short deliberation on Friday, he was found guilty. Some of the other defendants reportedly accepted plea deals in exchange for their testimony against Tay-K. The victims and their families have filed lawsuits against the rapper and his label.He’s currently facing 5-99 years and is expected to be sentenced on Monday.