BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The State Attorney’s Office said Thursday that its planning to seek the death penalty for the man accused of murdering Tashaun Jackson, a Cocoa mother of four.
- State Attorney seeking death penalty of Joshua Taylor, 30
- Taylor is accused of kidnapping, killing Cocoa mom Tashaun Jackson
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Joshua Lemar Taylor, 30, is accused of killing the missing 31-year-old woman on February 10. He’s been indicted and is facing charges of first degree premediated murder charges, kidnapping, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Jackson was reported missing by family February 9 after failing to return from a trip to a 7-Eleven near her Brevard County home.
Her body was found in a pond in a remote, rural area of Osceola County on February 15. An Osceola County Sheriff's Office helicopter found Jackson's body after receiving a tip to search the desolate cattle ranch area.
Investigators say they believe Jackson was abducted by Taylor and killed by him after leaving the 7-Eleven in Cocoa. He was arrested on February 26.
According to Jackson’s family, Taylor was known to carry a concealed weapon. She was reportedly "afraid of retaliation leading to her getting hurt."
The mother of four was reportedly "looking over her shoulder" after giving a deposition against Taylor, her family says.
Jackson's family says that, shortly after getting news of her death, her father was struck by a car and killed.
Taylor remains at the Brevard County Jail without bond.
His trial is set to take place July 23.