Man arraigned in Schenectady murder of ex-wife

A man accused of killing two women – including one in Schenectady, appeared in court on Tuesday morning.

Timothy Taylor was brought up to Schenectady from Rikers in New York City, to answer charges of murdering his ex-wife in Schenectady in May. NewsChannel 13 was the only television station there. 

Taylor was arraigned before Judge Matthew Sypniewski in Schenectady County Court on charges of murder, burglary, and tampering with physical evidence.

He is accused of two murders, about two weeks apart, in two parts of the state.

Authorities say he first killed his wife on May 30 in Brooklyn by stabbing her to death with a screwdriver, then took off to North Carolina.

Then, prosecutors say, on May 28, he broke into the Pleasant Street home of his ex-wife, 44-year-old Tishawn Folkes-Taylor in Schenectady, and stabbed her repeatedly with a knife.

“Certainly the loss of life of a woman who had sought to separate her from this gentleman and had sought orders of protection. We actually had a criminal obstruction of breathing charge pending. He had a bench warrant,” said Chief Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Assini.

Prosecutors say he killed her in front of their two children, ages 6 and 10, and her 17-year-old daughter, then went on the lam.

Video and pictures from the U.S. Marshals Service show his dramatic capture in June after a manhunt, as he’s picked up at a bar in Philadelphia.

In court, Taylor refused to sign and objected to the orders of protection the judge issued for the three children and the victim’s mother.

“It will be an order, it will be binding, it will be in effect,” cautioned Judge Sypniewski. “I’m putting you on notice now.”

Another murder case is also moving forward against Taylor downstate.

“As the motion schedule works and the proceedings occur, it’ll just be continuing in tandem,” said Assini.