Scott Weinberger

And I so appreciate John's approach to this interview. I mean, we do know that John was taking one step at a time to be able to lock him into the fact that the sex was not consensual. And, you know, it's pretty clear that she was sexually assaulted. There is a method questioning a suspect when they admit something. They think it's a rather big step that they're admitting to committing a crime.

And I so appreciate John's approach to this interview. I mean, we do know that John was taking one step at a time to be able to lock him into the fact that the sex was not consensual. And, you know, it's pretty clear that she was sexually assaulted. There is a method questioning a suspect when they admit something. They think it's a rather big step that they're admitting to committing a crime.

And you listen to that. And as the investigator, you take it in, but you move on. And sometimes for the defendant who just admitted to committing a heinous crime, the fact that you didn't stop them in their tracks and say, OK, this is done. Where's the handcuffs? And you continue the conversation makes them feel in a way like I just confessed to a felony crime.

And you listen to that. And as the investigator, you take it in, but you move on. And sometimes for the defendant who just admitted to committing a heinous crime, the fact that you didn't stop them in their tracks and say, OK, this is done. Where's the handcuffs? And you continue the conversation makes them feel in a way like I just confessed to a felony crime.

And maybe I'm thinking, wow, I got that off my chest and that's not really a big deal. And maybe I'd be willing to go a little bit further. Or, as it turns out in this case, maybe he feels I maybe already stepped over the line.

And maybe I'm thinking, wow, I got that off my chest and that's not really a big deal. And maybe I'd be willing to go a little bit further. Or, as it turns out in this case, maybe he feels I maybe already stepped over the line.

Following his arrest, John presented his case to a grand jury, which indicted Andre Taylor on charges of first-degree murder and first-degree sexual assault.

Following his arrest, John presented his case to a grand jury, which indicted Andre Taylor on charges of first-degree murder and first-degree sexual assault.

So this is one of the biggest challenges for cold case prosecutions, finding the witness who can testify to the facts that they may have reported to police years before. Because it's testimony itself under oath that lends those facts credence and believability, and most importantly, brings the story to life for a jury.

So this is one of the biggest challenges for cold case prosecutions, finding the witness who can testify to the facts that they may have reported to police years before. Because it's testimony itself under oath that lends those facts credence and believability, and most importantly, brings the story to life for a jury.

Luckily, John had a few other names. Whether he could find them after so many years was another story.

Luckily, John had a few other names. Whether he could find them after so many years was another story.

A week later, John got a phone call from Mary Hickson, but she had disappointing news. She had never worked at the Department of Agriculture and did not know Vicki Belk.

A week later, John got a phone call from Mary Hickson, but she had disappointing news. She had never worked at the Department of Agriculture and did not know Vicki Belk.

Taylor never testified in his own defense. And at the end of the nine-day trial, the jury adjourned to deliberate on his fate.

Taylor never testified in his own defense. And at the end of the nine-day trial, the jury adjourned to deliberate on his fate.

During sentencing, prosecutors emphasized the decades of trauma endured by Vicki's family, particularly her son, who was just seven years old when she was killed.

During sentencing, prosecutors emphasized the decades of trauma endured by Vicki's family, particularly her son, who was just seven years old when she was killed.

On August 23rd, 2024, the court sentenced Andre Taylor to life in prison without parole.

On August 23rd, 2024, the court sentenced Andre Taylor to life in prison without parole.