Blair Taylor, a New Orleans resident, has been sentenced to life in prison following his conviction in federal court for a double homicide that occurred in 2014. A federal jury found Taylor guilty of two counts of causing death through the use of a firearm, stemming from a violent incident known as the “Burgundy Massacre.”
Evidence presented at trial revealed that on August 10, 2014, Taylor and two accomplices went to Burgundy Street in New Orleans with the intent to retaliate against a drug dealer. Taylor, armed with a rifle, opened fire on a crowd of people, despite the presence of young children.
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His actions resulted in the deaths of two individuals, including a 16-year-old girl. Five other people were shot and seriously wounded in the attack, including a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old child.
This case has a long and complex legal history. Taylor and an accomplice were initially convicted in state court in 2017, but those convictions were later overturned due to a Supreme Court ruling regarding non-unanimous jury verdicts. A subsequent retrial in state court, held in 2022, resulted in Taylor’s acquittal.
However, the pursuit of justice did not end there. A federal grand jury indicted Taylor for the two murders, and after a three-day trial, he was found guilty. The federal court sentenced Taylor to life imprisonment on each count.
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This case underscores the commitment of law enforcement agencies to work together to address violent crime and gun violence within our communities. It serves as a powerful example of the collaborative efforts undertaken through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and community partners to reduce violence and make neighborhoods safer.
The successful prosecution of this case was the result of a thorough investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department, along with the dedicated efforts of Assistant United States Attorney Inga Petrovich, Unit Chief Elizabeth Privitera, and Special Assistant United States Attorney James Ollinger.
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