JURY DELIBERATES FOR ONE HOUR BEFORE CONVICTING BRONX MAN OF MURDER DURING A FOUR DAY “CRACK” BINGE; DEFENDANT CAPTURED ON VIDEO TAPE REMOVING BODY OF DECEASED FROM HIS APARTMENT

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today the murder conviction of career criminal who was captured on video tape removing the body of the deceased from an apartment that he had moved into for a short term stay at 401 East 187th Street.

Gregory Taylor, 49, of 732 East 152nd St., the Bronx, was found guilty of Murder in the 2nd degree in the death of Ana Almono Fowler, 41, on May 6, 2004. The cause of death, according to the Medical Examiner, was blunt force impact to the head and compression of the chest and neck. The jury deliberated for about an hour before finding Taylor guilty.

State Supreme Court Justice Michael Gross set sentencing for Monday, April 17, 2006 in Part T-11. Taylor has three prior felony convictions for assault, robbery and witness intimidation, and is facing a maximum sentence of 25 years to life imprisonment.

The crime occurred at a temporary housing facility for clients with HIV. During the trial the jurors viewed a security system video tape of Taylor leaving his apartment with the body of the deceased slumped over his shoulder. Other evidence included the defendant’s own admissions that he had been on a four day “crack” binge when he met the victim on a staircase in the residence and negotiated a deal to have sex with her in exchange for drugs and money. The woman’s body was found on the roof five days later on May 11, 2004 during a routine inspection by the New York City Fire Department. .

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Assistant District Attorney Allen Karen and Assistant District Attorney Marisa Capra.