The Christmas spirit has been fleeting this year in the homes of the Taylor family. The murder of our son James Taylor in early September who was shot by a transient named Glen Mead has left the family suffering . After the Elko County failed to prosecute Mead the healing process has been extremely difficult. A month after the funeral we gathered together to celebrate his Birthday. Two weeks later we sat down to our first Thanksgiving Dinner with out him in twenty four years. Now with the Christmas Season the emptiness grows knowing he will not be with us to celebrate this year.
The pain cannot be hid and I have no words that will describe how hard it is to keep everyone from avenging James death. The reason we have a Justice system is to protect and preserve human life. When the system fails as it often has lately, families are destroyed by that failure. Instead of the perpetrator suffering from his evil deed the victims family and friends are left to suffer. Everyday I find my wife crying and holding his pictures. She has grown frail and withdrawn in the last few months. I have taken her to the Doctor and she will need therapy to help cope with the suffering. All this misery and hate was spawned by the senseless act of a drunk. His disregard for life and the approval of his actions by the DA and his three member panel leave common folks of faith mistrusting the judicial system and thinking as vigilantes. Daily I find myself explaining that Glen Mead has already took my sons life and destroyed the lives of many who knew him. The truth is that Mead does not merit anyone to spend a day in jail or worse a lifetime. It does not matter that Elko County has now opened a loophole for murder it is still unlawful to take a mans life. I have decided to sell all of my private property and mining interests and hire a legal team to conduct an independent investigation of the murder and the inquest. I have set a goal to find Justice for James and also restore a fair and responsible judicial system in Elko County.
At this time of year the spirit of Christmas compels us to forgive man his trespasses. While I will admit that it is the most difficult and painful thing I have ever done, I realize that I cannot ask my Savior for forgiveness least I forgive. It is indeed a struggle to forgive someone for committing the highest sin of all against someone so close to you. The lack of Justice also leaves me trying to forgive those who were responsible for protecting our rights as well as James. Those responsible must also examine their roles and find there own forgiveness. So much destruction, hate and torment served up by a man who threatned to kill, then carried out that threat and confessed to its senslessness.
I have strived and will continue to strive to forgive and to lead my family away from the desire to seek vengeance . The Christmas season will be difficult with the loss but I pray it stregnthens our families faith and love for each other. With the Lords help we will discover the true meaning of Christmas and its gift of life for all of us. We pray a blessing of Love for all who suffer and need at this time. And most of all let us celelblrate the many blessings we have and many friends and love ones we are blessed with.
Your support and Love has been overwhelming and we are thankful for so many great friends, family and concerned citizens. The Taylor family wishes all of you a Merry Christmas and Happy new year.
Sincerely
Glenn Taylor