If anyone watches the movie or reads the book, and would like additional information, use this subject/message section. I was the investigating detecive for the murder case and have responded to many questions from people on the difference comments site of IMDb, so lets use just one... this one.
Besides myself, there are other members on IMDb who are familar with the case and may respond to you also.
Hope to hear from you soon. Bob F.
Is Kenneth Taylor still incarcerated?
shareaviavi43 - Yes, as far as I know he is still incarcerated in Red Onion State Prison near the town of Pound, Virginia. He should have been eligible for parole around 2014-15, but Dr Taylor had THREE escape attempts from different prisons (Trenton State in NJ, and Craigsville and Mecklenberg prisons in Virginia) and usually they add ONE YEAR to your sentence for the attempt.
So it seems that possibly 2017 or 2018 is his date to be JUST eligible for parole. Any other questions please feel free to ask.....
Did you see the movie or read the book? Thanks - Bob F.
i was just curious about a couple of things were the taylors ever prosecuted for illegally adopting the child?and has the child ever confronted his father and grandparents on what happened?
shareHi onederboi779 - Dr. Taylor's parents WERE NEVER prosecuted for their actions. After they illegally adopted young Phillip in Indiana, NJ issued warrants for their arrests in Indiana on charges of "Interfering with Custody violatons" and contempt of court stuff. The Indiana sheriff's did serve the warrants BUT Indiana REFUSED to extradite the Talor's back to NJ - so what good were the warrants? Big deal. I would imagine that if the Taylors were to ever return to NJ for something they may be able to be arrested and charged but I don't know the status of those issues and whether they are still active or were dismissed somewhere along the line.
Also, from my knowledge, young Phillip has NOT confronted his father or grandparents and has never seen his father and has not seen his grandparents since he was a baby.
Did you read the book or watch the movie? If you didn't read the book do so, you get to read about Dr. Taylor's TRIAL which was not in the movie. The book also gives you more background info on Teresa and Ken's younger years.
Thanks for the email. Bob
Scubadiverbob- I noticed this entry was posted on Feb 2, 2008.....
"I would imagine that if the Taylors were to ever return to NJ for something they may be able to be arrested and charged but I don't know the status of those issues and whether they are still active or were dismissed somewhere long the line. "
Kenneth's parents moved from Indiana to Florida. His mom died in 2004 and his dad died in 2007. His mom died at age 77 and his dad was 80. Not sure of his mom's cause of death but his dad died in a bad car accident.Anyway it would be hard for them to be brought up on charges when their deceased.
Again eabdeb8176 thanks for the update..... I was unaware that they had passed on.
I will relay that information to Teresa's family.
Thanks again - Bob F.
I've always been fascinated by this case and have read the book/seen the film a number of times. I just popped off the In A Child's Name blogspot where it has Ken Taylor's release date as Nov.16th 2014...you mean they're actually gonna let this monster OUT??? A guy with a sociopathic personality like his can NEVER truly be rehabilitated, so I hope to God they'll be keeping a close eye on him once he hits the streets....a VERY close eye!
shareI didn't know it was that soon. I will forward the information on to Teresa's family. Thanks for the update.
shareNo problem. As said, the authorities should keep a very sharp eye on this sick *beep*..I seriously doubt his malice and penchant for trouble has dimmed all that much despite the years. Indeed, keep the family informed!
shareHi Bob! Has Ken been transferred? I looked him up and do not see him still listed in VA or in NJ. Do you know where he is now?
Last Movie: Vantage Point
Fav. Movie last year: Halloween 2007/Grindhouse/Die Hard 4
Hi bmks - LAST I heard he was STILL in Red Onion Prison outside of Pound, Va. I have checked a few times in the past and CANNOT locate him in the Va. system. Several other people I know also cannot locate him and have reached out to me but I think for some reason his info is NOT AVAILABLE. If he was to ESCAPE or come up for parole...I would get a call from the victim's family, I assure you. Even when he was in the NJ system I couldn't locate him after a while. I think it may have something to do with "problem" at Trenton State Prison in NJ. His parole eligiblity year WAS around 2014. BUT he had an escape attempt or two and from what I understand they add a year for every one you have....so maybe 2116/2017?
Hey, if you find him please let me know, OK? Thanks - Bob
I sure will! I have a crime blog and want to post this story but not until I find him :)
Last Movie: Vantage Point
Fav. Movie last year: Halloween 2007/Grindhouse/Die Hard 4
Hey bmks - did you ever find out any more about Ken Taylor in the Virginia Corrections system? If you did, did you do a blog on him like you were going to do? I'd love to read it.....
Thanks - Bob
No, I have not found him yet, and it is disappointing indeed. I am going to try again this weekend when I have some time. When I can't find something, I get ummm obsessive, whoops! I mean passionate!
Last Movie: Mummy 3
Fav. Movies this year: The Dark Knight
I will be scared for Phillip when Dr. Taylor gets out of jail. I can't even believe he's GETTING out of jail. They should have given him 250 years.
sharedanatania - I think Phillip will be OK when Dr. Taylor gets out of jail. I honesty do not think he would try to hurt his son. Due to the way the criminal justice system is EVERYONE has a CHANCE of getting out of jail. Sometimes it is IMPOSSIBLE, sometimes very UNLIKELY, sometimes very SLIM and sometimes a chance. Lastly sometimes a good chance...
Any questions about the book or movie just let me know.
Thanks - Bob
From what I've been told he's had three escape attempts. A lady I know has a talent for investigating and she called several prisons where he's been and says he's tried to escape from two prisons in NJ and one in VA.
shareThanks for the reply eabdeb8175. Yes, Dr. Taylor attempted to escape from the Monmouth County correctional facility that he was originally housed in. Then he was transferred to Trenton State Prison to serve his sentence and participated in a planned escape attempt BUT shortly before it happened...he "squealed" on the others and made a "deal" with prison officials to be transferred out of the New Jersey prison system for his "safety." That's how he wound up in Virginia. He then made an escape attempt at Mecklenberg Prison if I am not mistaken.......was transfered once or twice more and wound up at Red Onion Prison outside of Richmond, Virginia. BUT if you check or call - he is NOT listed on the population report as being there......... Hummmmm.
Again - thanks for reading the posts and replying.
Bob F.
Are Kenneth Taylor's parents still alive? I did not realize that this crime occurred in the early 1980's (1984) until I read the book my freshman year of college.
shareHi catalina333 - As far as I know Ken's parents are still alive. I have not heard anything from the Teresa's family. If and when one of the Taylor's pass on, and I'm sure that I would. If I'm not mistaken, they now live somewhere in Florida.
If I can be of any assistance to you please feel free to contact me.
Have a great spring/summer. Bob F.
Here is an update on Ken's parents and his incarceration. Please visit the Movies Based on True Stories Database
URL link: http://inachildsnamemovie.blogspot.com/
His mom died in 2004 not sure why I'm thinking it was cancer? She was 77 years old. His father died in a bad car accident in 2007 he was 80. Haven't been able to dig up anything besides some websites about the movie but I know there out there.
shareHey Bob I read the book and watched the movie. I have several questions. What is young Phillip up to now? what about the little girl that was featured in the movie? How is she doing today? Will young Phillip or Theresa famiy be at Kenneth's parole hearing? thanks
Jennifer
Hi sweetiepieu803 - Young Phillip - is no longer as young as we may think. He is 24 this month. He is doing just fine and I'm not sure what he is doing these days regarding work. I know that he has changed his thoughts about what job he would like to settle into so I'm not sure what he is doing presently.
I'm sure that Teresa's family will be at the parole hearing but that is still several years away. It's somewhere around 2016 or 2017. It would have been in 2014. In 1985 he received 30 years before becoming eligible for parole with almost a year credit because he was incarcerated before the trial. But he had 3 escape attempts and I understand that they add 1 year for each attempt. Hence 2016 or 2017?
I'm lost. What little girl was featured in the movie? No little girls were involved in the case at all. Unless you mean Ken Taylor's daughter from his 2nd marriage. SHE was NOT involved at all, her mother was. I have NO idea about either of them at all. Is that what you were referring to?
Well, have a great summer and any other questions please feel free to ask.
Later - Bob F.
Hey Bob thanks for answering my question. I am referring to Valerie Bertenelli daughter that was featured in the movie. I guess she was made up for the movie. thanks again
shareI know that often when true stories are made into movies, a lot of details are changed. How close was the movie in this case?
shareHi StormAngel - The movie was VERY CLOSE to the actual facts of the case and the book. If you get a chance, read the book and you most likely will NOT notice the small differences between teh two.
For example, the movie has the murder happening UPSTAIRS in the master bedroom. It actually happened downstairs in the spare bedroom/office.
Also Taylors parents did NOT go to bed & turn off the lights and see the glowing green from the luminol. His parents DID see the luminol testing being done but they were upstairs watching and the testing was done downstairs.
Also, Ken did not kill Teresa when she put the earings on in front of him like the movie suggests. The earings had nothing to do with the murder, that was a made for TV effect.
Those are the 3 biggest differences but you would NEVER know unless you read the book and had a very sharp mind. Other than that just some MINOR changes that were done for overall effect.
Actually, if you read the book it goes into much more detail about Taylor's trial (and that was an interesting part of the book) and Ken and Teresa's backgrounds. If you get a chance, check either Ebay or Amazon.com for the book. Usually on Amazon you can pick up a copy for maybe 8 - 10 bucks including shipping.
Any questions please feel free to ask.
Later - Bob
Hi Bob. I sent you a PM with a question but I'll post here as well. I've always been confused because the movie's beginning credits say it's based on a book and then the ending is as if it were based on a true story. Was a book written about a real life case and then a movie made or what? Thanks for any help in advance.
shareHi Jeanniefan78.
I responded to your private message and FULLY answered your question and added some interesting comments. So for those who will read the "posts" here's the short answer: Crime first in Nov. 1984, book second in Oct. 1990 and movie third in Nov. 1991.
Book is really, really, really close to all the facts, like 99 % accurate.
The movie is really close, maybe 95%, but there are a few minor differences and a major one.
Any other questions please feel free to ask. Bob F.
Bob,
So you must have obviously spent some time talking to and investigating Kenny, right?
Can you shed some light on his personality and physique? Is it true the guy was as athletic as they make out in the flick (almost obsessive/fanatical)?
Would you classify him as your run-of-the-mill sociopath with the classic characteristics exhibited by antisocial personality disordered individuals otherwise known as psychopaths?
What about his IQ?
It's hard to make out what kind of intelligence this character had by watching the movie, but I can only guess that he must have been pretty stupid dumping Theresa Taylor on the side of the road and I'm only guessing here, but not considering that it would only be a matter of time before the cops put one and one together and rolled up on his doorstep.
Another question I have is, (no, I have not read the book), what was his motive?
Was he overwhelmed by his wife's suspicions regarding his intimate affairs?
What was so different in comparison to his past relationships, that he took that one step further, by committing murder?
I guess most of these questions are probably answered in the book, but I'd rather hear it from the horse's mouth, so to speak.
P.S. Also some things personal, which you may or may not want to answer, and I respect that, but are you now retired from the force Bob?
Is there anything that still haunts you about this case?
I get the vibe that you are very unsettled (I might be miles off here but...). It's a very superficial thought on my behalf because I've only read bits and pieces of the posts, but I guess that's the first initial vibe I'm picking up.
Obviously you still have retained an enormous amount of interest regarding this case.
You've probably seen it all, over the years, so why this specific case?
I'm guessing scenarios like this one unravel on a near daily basis in the United States.
I hope my post finds you well and in good spirits Bob?
Kind regards
P.S. Something else from one of the posts where you say, and I quote "The earings had nothing to do with the murder, that was a made for TV effect."
What about the assault incident on their honeymoon?
Did that really take place, and did Kenny ever get the wrap for that, or was there never sufficient enough evidence (in the eyes of the law) to have charges laid on Kenny?
If so, do you think Ken was involved in that attack, and what was the motive behind that one?
I'm guessing, obviously not robbery, if Kenny was involved.
_______________________________________
"Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law"
Hi necrosadist - boy did you load up with questions..... It would take me a week to answer all of them... LOL.
First let me say that if you did get a chance to read the book it would give you a lot more background on Dr. Taylor and his family life growing up and his wife Teresa's also. The book also goes into much more depth about his assualt of Teresa while on their honeymoon in Mexico AND his trial.
But see if I can answer a few questions.
He was an average sized guy in person, in good shape, but not a muscle man. He did work out at home and from what I understand he did achieve a much larger, stronger body while in prison.
I would not nor is it my expertise to classify him in any way, shape or form. That was not a factor in the crime or trial.
His IQ? No idea at all.
We had no motive - and didn't need one due to the EXTENSIVE evidence and his confession. But I have my own ideas that are NOT for publication.
As far as dumping Teresa along the side of the roadway - "our" opinion was that he was extremely tired and mentally exhausted and was not thinking clearly when he "dumped" her that way. It was almost like he was so totally confused, tired and exhausted that he just had to get rid of her body somewhere so he did.
Regarding his past relationships and this one - why murder? He ATEMPTED to kill his SECOND wife up in Conn. while he was in the Naval service..... There is a FINE LINE between good and bad JUST like there is a FINE LINE between an assault and a murder. BUT we have to PAY THE PIPER, right?
Something that haunts me - No, not really. But what I think about, at times, is that thru my investigation I had the chance to get to know Dr. Taylor and Teresa...but I NEVER had the chance to meet HER.... and I wish I had.... because then she would still be with us. I only saw Teresa once, at the hospital in Pottsville, Pa. I saw lots of pictures and video's, but when I was at the filming of the movie, they were shooting the airport scene where she came home from Mexico with her face all beat up.... and to see a live person beaten like that, even though it was make up and an actress, still gave me the chills.
Last one for tonight - get back to me and I'll answer some more. The honeymoon? He was arrested by the Mexican police. They had enough evidence but dropped the charges because Teresa would not admit he did it to her and they didn't want to proceed and NOT have her as a prosecution witness.
Anyway - chat later if you would like... get the book on Amazon or Ebay, I think you would like the book.
Later - Bob F.
Hi Bob,
Sorry about all the questions. It probably sounds like I’m interrogating you, but I assure you, that’s not the case.
You see, interest in me for this case arose many, many years ago after viewing the screening on Australian TV (I am from Oz, by the way), and it kind of left a huge & strange impression on me.
The fact that I could never pinpoint a motive…
I am an avid true-crime collector, and have over 2,000 rare true-crime titles in my personal library, but this one for some reason just never made its way on one of my bookshelves.
It wasn’t til only recently that I began to ponder into trying to figure out what the title of the movie was, and I fell upon it completely accidentally but that’s another story in itself.
So, going back to the case, you state that the Mexican police dropped the charges because Teresa would not admit he did it to her???
So, charges had actually been laid on Ken in the first place?
Here comes my inquisitive one… you telling me that Teresa knew all along that Ken was the assailant, and she stayed with him after the severe bashing she received?
Was this one of those ‘battered wife syndrome’ cases?
The reason I’m asking here, is to make ends meet whether this was just one of those Tracey Thurman type of cases that eventually led to murder.
Also, when did you actually become involved in the case? Was it after the family filed a missing persons report?
I know you specify you want to keep your thoughts to yourself regarding the motive, but speaking in general here, if there were a motive registered in this case, it would go a long way into understanding to some extent Kenneth’s reasoning.
I mean if I were one of the jurors, I most certainly would want to know why this guy committed this horrific act to begin with.
I don’t doubt that one way or another, Ken is afflicted with a sociopathic personality, regardless of whether he had a reason (in his personal mind processing) or not, and especially if the guy had a clean mental health bill. The guy stepped over the line and it obviously takes someone without a conscience to do what he done.
It also sounds like Kenneth falls into a group commonly categorised as disorganised offenders (taking also in consideration the schematics surrounding the assault in Mexico).
This whole murder case sounds like a very disorganised crime looking at it from the way the offender conducted himself.
Do you agree?
Best wishes
_______________________________________
"Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law"
Hello again Necrosadist -
Again - no motive. Didn't need one but like I said - have my OWN thoughts on one. Our "Prosecutor" who representated the State of New Jersey (Teresa) in the murder told the jury in his opening statement that there would be NO motive explained to them, but the evidence would show the crime was committed and by Dr. Taylor.
Also, you HAVE TO READ the book because most of your questions are answered in it. PLUS it's agreat book. Maas did an excellent job. If you are a AVID true crime follower..get the book. Heck, bid on one, have them mail it to me, I'll sign/autograph it for you and ship it back out to you.
As far as the title of the movie - the author, Peter Maas told me that he named it such because Dr. Taylor stated that the reason he struck Teresa was to defend himself but what brought upon the conflict that day was his claiming Teresa was "abusing" the baby and his trying to protect the child - hence he did what he did "in the name of a child" or defending the child from her. I had jokingly told Mr. Maas (when he asked me) to name the book "If at first you don't succeed." A reference to this wife being murdered after the failed attempt on his second wife.
Yes, the Mexican police did arrest Dr. Taylor and he spend several days in a Mexican jail. I was at the site of the Mexican police compound and jail area and let me tell you that it's NOT a place I would EVER want to be confined in. TERRIBLE conditions. (I spend 4 days in Acapulco Mexico, as part of this investigation)
As far as Teresa KNOWING he did that to her - that's ONE QUESTION I would have loved to ask her.... she always DENIED (to others) he did that to her but as the "gatherer of information" by speaking to many, many people, I FEEL that she knew. BUT she was raised very religiously and did NOT BELIEVE in divorce. So yes, the doctors believed she "fit" the BATTER WOMAN SYNDROME.
Yes, I became involved AFTER Dr. Taylor filed a missing person report AT the urging of HER family. An initial report was done by a uniformed officer and the case was transfered to me to "follow up" on. The night I received the case to investigate, I met with Dr. Taylor and spoke with him, and looked around the house. After leaving the home, my instincts said that he was somehow involved in her disappearence. DIDN'T know she had been murdered at that point.
As far as a disorganized crime - many many crimes ARE disorganized because they are either "crimes of opportunity/spur of the moment" or lack sufficient preparation and planning. MY feeling is that Dr. Taylor did not plan to kill Teresa. BUT it happened.
Let me tell you, because of all the work I put into this case, the different avenues of investigation, and the obstacles encountered.... I will NEVER FORGET this case. Strange as it may seem, I can still recall names, events and even the license plate number of Teresa's car - that Dr. Taylor drove around in for 4 days with her body in the trunk. What if some State Police Officer had stopped him and searched the car? You would NOT be talking with me about this case...... LOL.
Later - Bob
Hello Bob,
I think you’ve just hit the nail on the head when you stated, “MY feeling is that Dr. Taylor did not plan to kill Teresa. BUT it happened.”
I mean this is it, isn’t it? …This gives a complete different perspective on the case to all the readers reading these posts and everyone interested, right?
This has been my thought from the very beginning also.
***Dr. Kenneth Taylor indeed murdered his wife on a spur of the moment***
But it still doesn’t answer, what made him commit that murder on the spur of that moment, thus going back to that undesired word in this case ‘MOTIVE’
Spur of the moment or not, something still made him snap to do this in the first place, right?
Did the guy have a past rap sheet involving assault charges? …and by that, I mean not only towards his past relationships.
Was Dr Taylor a violent man? I know this question sounds stupid knowing the facts of his past relationships, but I am interested to see if he was a violent man by nature outside of his marital relationships.
Some of my initial thoughts were Murder For Profit; 'Life Insurance Policy?’ but I quickly rejected that thought, because crimes as such are, well let's just say, better planned, or at least show that some thought was put into the whole scenario, something that’s most certainly not the case here. Also this is something that was never raised in this case, that I'm aware of anyway.
In regards to the allegations of sexual assault on the child, anyone with half a brain could figure out that it was only Kenneth making up these allegations to justify to some extent, and also to use this gibberish for his defence against the horrific crime he committed.
I mean; this woman has a strong ethnic and religious background to feel shame into seeking divorce but sexually abuses her own child? I don’t buy it.
Also the fact that Kenneth did what he did to defend his child from its supposedly abusive mother, by killing her?
Yeah right!!! I’m sure there was other avenues he could have explored other than murder, right? …and most certainly he didn’t murder her while catching her in the act, as one to justify it to some extent on mixed emotion thought processing in the so-called spur of the moment, so I figure that whole story falls to pieces when one carefully examines it.
Was that the defence Dr. Taylor used on his trial?
P.S. I might take you up on that book signing. It would be an honour.
Have you considered writing a book on the case, and presenting your side of the story, and maybe giving your readers some extra insight and update (follow-up research on Dr Taylor’s current status even though he’s still in a correctional facility) on the case, or do you believe that there is not much more to be said other than what’s already been told?
Many regards
_______________________________________
"Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law"
Hey necrosadist - NO MOTIVE. Like I said I have my OWN ideas......
Boy were are actually beginning to write another "book" here on the posts..... the way you and I are going we'll have enough for a mini series - LOL.
OK. No, Dr. Taylor did not have a criminal past per the legal rules. He did have a prior attempt to harm/assault his second wife several years earlier that is covered in the book. That incident, by the legal rules, in NOT part of his official record.
YOU HAVE TO READ THE BOOK. It will answer a large number of questions that you have in your mind.
I/we did not uncover any evidence of Dr. Taylor being a "violent man" but what does that mean anyway? From his prior record - NO. From his past history he was an athlete that "wanted to win" so he played HARD. With his first wife, nothing. With is second wife there was an incident of violence (used cloroform in an attempt to "hurt" her). And with his Third wife - Teresa - violence also. So do your "detective" work with this last bit of information.
I have NEVER actually considered writing my own book but many many friends and others have urged me to do so. Maas wrote his book and another author named Raymond Van Over (from the Washington, DC area) wrote a book very similar to Maas's called "In a Father's Rage." It more or less tells the story from Dr. Taylor's prospective.
So what could I add? My feelings and my assumptions are mine and only mine. They can't be verified - so would a book by me turn out to be fiction? A story book?
Honestly - my feelings are to let Teresa "rest in peace". Allow her to look down upon us and know that justice has been done, and that her family and friends all love her and continue to remember her in their thoughts, pictures and memories..... I remain close to her family and I would NEVER EVER put my thoughs and feelings about this case into a book. I just wouldn't. I think if you were in my shoes you would understand how close I became to the people involved in this event and respect their friendship over anything else..... so to TRULY answer one of your first questions to me - did this case have an effect on me... it really did. I became Teresa's eyes. I became her thoughts. I became her voice. I got to know all about a wonderful person but unfortunately never met her...... someday I will and I know that she will greet me with open arms and thank me for being there for her. What more could I ask?
Talk later - Bob
Bob, hello again,
You state above, “…by the legal rules, is NOT part of his official record.”
By that, do you mean that Dr. Taylor was never convicted in a court of law on that attempt, so it couldn’t be bought up in his trial, or did he face a court of law regarding that offence, but received a 'no conviction recording' which still prevents the prosecutor in this case bringing that incident up?
As per the violent man query I had, I guess it doesn’t mean much if you take in consideration that even a large majority of serial killers don’t have priors up until their apprehension, but what it can do, is, shed some light into someone’s current violent criminal behaviour if they did have past offences relating to violence, so I think it’s most definitely a query of interest to the speculator and investigator.
It’s probably one that does need to be ruled out from the very beginning.
The book you mention, titled "In a Father's Rage”, I actually had a paperback copy of it which I purchased amongst in a bulk lot of true-crime titles from the U.S. some 12 months ago, for the purpose of receiving a couple of other rare titles amongst it, but unfortunately, I never even looked at that book back then, and I sold it off as part of a slush pile of paperbacks that I had no interest in.
How ironic that it gets bought to my attention over 12 months later, which also would have answered my query; chasing up the title of that unknown movie I was after for so many years.
I don’t think a book written by you would be regarded as fiction at all, just because you can’t verify your claims or thoughts regarding this case.
I mean, every Jack The Ripper book ever written, then would be classified as fiction, right?
It’s written from your point of view, and the rest is up to the reader to take on board or disregard what you have to say.
I totally understand that the closeness you had with the family and all the people regarding this case would complicate things for you if you were to keep pursuing something that has reached, I guess to some extent a kind of closure.
I also personally respect your approach and attitude regarding that query.
Loyalty and respect are not qualities easily found these days in a human being.
Best regards
P.S. There is something I wanted to ask you but decided against it, but re-decided against not to, so here it comes, thus the post being updated.
You state: (used chloroform in an attempt to "hurt" her)
In what way? Do you mean sexually?
_______________________________________
"Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law"
necrosadist - no, he did use the chloroform to attack his 2nd wife sexually...he actually used it in an attempt to kill her. One night while he was stationed at the Groton Naval Base in Connecticut, he made Marilyn a cup of hot chocolate. She smelled it and it had a strange smell so Ken offered to make a new cup, saying it was "residue from the dish washer" or soap (I think I recall) The smell was the chloroform he placed in the hot chocolate). She did't want another cup after that. Soon after she went to bed. Later that night he went into the bedroom with a rag soaked with chloroform and placed it over her mouth...but she fought back and eventually he stopped what he was doing. The Naval authorities and the police were notified. Eventually Marilyn (her book name) decided NOT to sign a complaint or pursue the charges so the matter was ended and under the State of Connecticut law - the records were SEALED and basically unattainable. So it did NOT go on his OFFICIAL record.
So I think that answers both of your questions....... You MUST get a copy of the book because you will be amazed at how many of your questions about this movie will be answered... All the facts above are in the book. You MUST. Go on Amazon.com or Ebay books and they are often for sale. Like I said - if you do, let me know, on a private post I'll give you my mailing address and have them send the book to me, I'll sign it for you and ship it off to you.
OK. The Van Over book - In a Father's Rage. You didn't miss much. It seems like he read Maas's book and made some changes & additions based on Dr. Taylor's thoughts, and published it. It upset me because he made soooooo many small errors on actual FACTS. In the end, he says he relyed Dr. Taylor's thoughts, police reports, court transcripts & interviews. Funny but he NEVER interviewed ME.
Mr. Maas interviewed me extensively. Even as he was compiling his data and thoughts for the final draft of the book, he would call me and "run things by me" to get my feelings and thoughts. Maas told me that he did all his background work on the case and intereviewed me LAST because I put the pieces of the story all together for him. I had answers to his questions about things he found and he wanted to know MY feelings on certain matters. I really really came to respect Mr. Maas and know that he would have made one hell of a detective..... God rest his soul. FYI - Mr. Maas died back in the beginning of 2002.
My question to you. How and why did you come up with your "name" on the site?
It's a strange one.....
Later - Bob
Hello Bob,
You state above “no, he did use the chloroform to attack his 2nd wife sexually...he actually used it in an attempt to kill her.”
That’s a spelling error right? You actually mean, “he DIDN’T use the chloroform to attack his 2nd wife sexually…”
Which answers my question as “chloroform was only used in an attempt to kill her.”
That’s an amazing incident. Do you have any explanation regarding Ken’s reasoning behind that incident?
I also am interested to know whether Kenny Taylor had any background history of being sexually abused himself in any way by his parents. (?)
Is there a link between those false accusations he made against his wife and his personal childhood experiences?
The book signing sounds like a great idea, and I will get back to you on that one for sure.
Funny about the ‘Van Over’ book. There are so many books out there just like it.
You can never trust anyone in the non-fiction business.
The case of John Wayne Gacy is a good example. A large number of books written on him were compiled with fictional accounts regarding his background history. The authors just don’t care. It’s all about making money and over-dramatizing for the purpose of raising their profit margins.
I knew the time would come and you would ask about my name on the site.
Sorry to disappoint you Bob, but you won’t find any skeletons in my closet. (lol)
No, I’m not a criminally depraved individual lurking on the IMDb site.
I’m sure there’s probably plenty of Dr. Taylor’s on here.
It’s as simple as this:
HOW? – Page 114, Chapter 7 ‘Perverse Crimes In History’ by: R.E.L. Masters & Eduard Lea, The Julian Press, Inc., 1963
The Chapter is actually titled, ‘Necrophiles, Necrosadists, Necrophagists.’
WHY? – I’m an avid true-crime collector, and have been since 1991 after reading for the first time the amazing cases of Dennis Nilsen (Necrophile) and Peter Kurten (Sadist). I had trouble with coming up with an ID that wasn’t already taken. The book was sitting on my desk at that time, so I opened it and there it was. The word was staring straight at me.
I thought, that will do my hobby justice, and even better, I love the 70’s and 80’s horror flicks, so there you have it.
It is as mentally challenging as that. My answer I mean (lol)
Regards
_______________________________________
"Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law"
Yes Necrosadist, typing error on that part - he "didn't" use is correct.
Yes I have an explaination regarding Ken's "reasoning"....AGAIN, you HAVE to read the book. This is also covered there. It seems that just about ALL of you questions are covered in the book, NOT the movie. I do not mind answering them but I have to laugh when I read your questions KNOWING that if you did read the book you and I probably would have a LOT LESS to chat about. LOL.
After the attempt with the chloroform SHE called the Naval chaplin. He came to the home. He had Marilyn go to the base hospital because of the burns on her face and had Dr. Taylor admitted to the psychiatric ward. Ken told a Naval Pshchiatrist (Dr. Smith) that the reason he attempted to kill his 2nd wife was because he was a heavy user of marijuana and amphetamines, had taken 3 "black beauties" that night and at least 7 over the weekend, and "heard" voices telling him to kill her. Further, his first marriage had failed, which angered his parents. Also, it was a constant struggle to gain his father's approval and this marriage was about to break up and he feared the reaction of his parents. Also, a lack of respect and appreciation from his wife and his feeling of "abandonment" related to his wife's absence due to her frequently visiting her ill father.
NOW
He told his parents that the reason he "lashed out physically" at her was because he was "stressed out", too much coffee, way to many pills to wake up and pills to sleep and because of marital tensions... and that a senior Naval Shrink had told him this was caused by the way SHE was treating HIM.
GET'S BETTER
2 days AFTER the incident, the wife visits Dr. Smith. Smith tells her that Dr. Taylor is a "homicidal maniac" and it is only a matter of time BEFORE he finishes off the job. He advised her to notify the police. She did. Police charged Dr. Taylor with attempted murder. Now, the Navy, fearing the all the publicity, that Ken is a valuable player on the championship softball team and he performed dental work on the TOP BRASS, SWITCHES Doctors... Dr. Smith is superseded and a Dr. Pettit takes over. HIS professional opionion after treating Taylor is that he is "neither physically or psychologically dependent on drugs" and there is NO evidence of "psychosis." NEVER was there a reference to Ken's philandering. AND BOY DID HE. All in the book. So based on what Dr. Pettit says, Marilyn acceps this report and drops the charges and enters marriage counseling with Ken.
WHEW!
THAT is a BIG QUESTION - whether Ken was abused as a child. Nothing ever substianciated. READ THE BOOK.
By the way... that above info was taken verbatum from the book. I recall MOST of the reasons BUT reviewed the book to make sure I got it right, especially with the doctor's name's and who said what. By the way - what a time we had in locating Dr. Smith. He had been "transfered" to the San Diego area as I recall.
OK. Now I know HOW you came upon the title for your posts...... I imagine you can figure out how mine came about? ScubaDiverBob? That's easy......
Talk soon - Bob
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bob i know this sounds mayb a lil bit insane but wat is the name of the book as i would love to read it and how well did the cimerrelis adjust after getting young phillip and has Dr Taylor said why he killed his beautiful wife?
shareblu yd lady....... Why would asking be insane ? Nah..... The book is titled " In a Child's Name" and the author is Peter Maas (now deceased).
The Cimerreli's (really the White's)are doing great and young Phillip (not so young anymore he's 26) and got married 2 years ago this coming June and I was invited to the wedding and it was GREAT. Yes they did adjust. Had to. Teresa's sister (who DID EVENTUALLY adopt Philip) had additional children - big family.
Dr. Taylor NEVER gave a reason he killed Teresa except (what was in the book and movie) that he saw Teresa performing "fellatio" on the baby and ran after her and then defended himself from HER. No way.
Thanks for the inquiry and any more questions please feel free to ask.
Bob F.
Hello.
What is the title and author of the book? Do you know where I could find it?
"I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus."
"Didn't he discover America?"
"Penfold, shush."
Good morning fiatlux-1 The title of the book is "In a Child's Name" and the author is Peter Maas. Published by Simon and Schuster (New York)in 1990.
Just go on Amazon.com or Ebay and there are usually copies of the hardcover version for sale for around 4 to 8 dollars. The VHS of the movie is harder to find and they usually go for around 60 to 70 dollars.... it's seems to be in demand. The movie is NOT out on DVD and if you see one it's a copy of the VHS tape and generally a not so good quality ESPECIALLY on the larger LCD TV's.
Good luck and if you have any questions about the book/movie please feel free to ask.
Thanks and you and the family have a GREAT holiday. Bob F.
Thank you very much!
"I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus."
"Didn't he discover America?"
"Penfold, shush."
I've just started reading Maas's book the past couple of days.
I'm quarter way through it.
Most definitely, very easy to follow because the movie is so closely related to the book.
The script writer done an amazing job.
Interesting some of the additional info not found elsewhere.
I am already painting my personal picture of what I think of Dr. Taylor; A very insecure individual, drug/substance abuser and sexual addict - mainly because I think the psychological reasoning behind that was that he wanted to feel wanted/needed rather than just for pleasure's sake.
Not the type of individual that coped well with being alone.
I also feel Teresa had a very vulnerable personality from her relationships point of view.
She also comes across as a person that was easily manipulated.
I look forward to reading the rest and summing up my own conclusions.
I am still to understand the purpose of the attack in Mexico other than Dr Taylor being a very unstable person and as previously I noted, a psychopathic individual.
_______________________________________
"Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law"
I'm only on chapter 10 from the book and I'm hooked. I read every little chance I get. I didn't want to, but I couldn't help it and I looked up everything I could about the case online. So I know how it turns out - very interesting! It's awesome that you are willing and able to comment on the case. Thank you for taking the time to do so. I will finish the book and hopefully it'll come on TV sometime soon. Then I'll bombard you with questions. Just giving you a heads up! LOL.
shareNo problem anavarro217 - when you get ready "fire away."
Later - Bob
Hi Bob
I watched this movie on TV earlier and I've been reading through the posts - I take it that you are Lt Robert Fausak. Did the actor in the movie portray you accurately?
I read the post about the possibility of Ken Taylor being abused as a child. I know the movie had inaccuracies, but I did notice his mother kiss him on the lips at one point and he returned the kiss also on the lips. I found that disquieting.
The other matter I was curious about is that when in prison, he bribed an officer with a drug deal but I don't remember if that was revisited again later in the movie. Can you shed any light on this, or were the movie producers using some licence for effect?
You mentioned you were interviewed at length for the book - did you have any input into the movie?
Thanks - Heather
Hi Heather - thanks for writing. Actually I'm (retired) DETECTIVE Robert Fausak. They had Lt. in the movie but I was JUST a detective. I LOVED the promotion... LOL
Yes, I was portrayed accurately. Timothy Carhart played me in the movie and he is around 6" 4" and I'm only 6 foot. I was present during a week of the filming of the movie (was filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina at Carolco Studios)and when I arrived, Carhart approached me and we had dinner and spent around 4 or 5 hours together. He wanted to know things that I would do or say to portray my part more accurately. If you ever see the movie again - watch closely - and you will see that in SOME parts of the movie, he wears his shirt sleves down and other parts he has them rolled up. I told him I NEVER wear long sleeve shirts - only short sleeve. They had already filmed some parts and after that, he rolled them up to portray me accurately.
As far as Ken Taylor being abused... We never had any indication of that. My investigation revealed NOTHING about that. Only HIS statement about the baby being abused by Teresa gave us ANY thoughts regarding abuse of HIM.
As far as bribing the jail guard.... it was NOT with drugs. He used the contents of his house to get the guard to get him a key in the movie. In real life it was actually a metal file. Key was better for the movie version.
And did I have any IMPUT? YES - the entire movie... I solved the case. ha ha ha.
Actually no imput because the movie was based on Peter Maas's book of the same name. You should get a copy of the book as it goes into backgrounds of Ken and Teresa and much more of the actual investigation and trial which was interesting. There was a lot left OUT of the movie but that's Hollywood. You can't get EVERTHING in. If they did it would have been an 8 hour movie.
So thanks for the questions and any more - just write back. GET THE BOOK from Ebay or Amazon.com.
Oh, by the way. You saw the movie today? What State do you live in and what channel was it on? Lifetime or TNT or one of them?
Later - Bob
Hi Bob
Thank you for replying so promptly. I have ordered the book from Amazon and look forward to reading it. I may even have more questions for you afterwards -hope you won't mind.
I actually live in the UK, near Cardiff in Wales, and the movie was shown on the 'True Movies' channel. Any movie shown on that channel is usually repeated several times, so I hope to watch it again soon and reading the book will give me a good background. I will look out for the 'shirt sleeves' - loved that story!
I got it wrong about the conversation that Ken had with the guard. I remember Ken mentioned the contents of his house, but I thought 'contents' was a cover for drugs, probably because he asked the guard later if he was 'ready to deal' -my mistake!
Thanks again for your help - Heather.
Hi Heather - good to know that the movie is airing in the UK. Yes - please do email with any questions. Just remember to check this web site because some of your questions MAY have been answered already and you can check. Look at the topics and maybe one would fit your question. BUT please ask, no problem. I have made several "close friends" from this site. One friend lives in Australia. So far NONE from the UK. It's fun.
Also, if we are going to get into a big discussion about something just remember you can send a PRIVATE email to me. Sometimes it's a lot easier because the answer I may give I would NOT want on the general site for everyone else to see. I do not want to make someone unhappy.
So good reading. After you finish the book, if you want, you could ship it to me here in the States and I would sign it for you and return it..... No problem. I have done that well over a dozen times (AT LEAST) so far......
Enjoy - Bob
Per the sentencing guidelines in 1984, Ken Taylor should have been paroled in 2014. Has he been released?
shareCatalina_333 He has NOT been released as of yet. Dr. Taylor had 3 attempted prison breaks, so for each one they add an additional year to your sentence. So the date will possibly be towards the end of this year or next year from what I understand. Hope this answers your question. Thanks......
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