Lawrence found guilty, sentencing to take place April 16
A Taylor County man is facing sentencing after being found guilty due to no contest pleas of physical abuse of elder person - recklessly cause great bodily harm and strangulation and suffocation - domestic abuse.
The charges stem from a September 19, 2022 incident in the city of Medford involving Larry L. Lawrence, 47, who currently resides in the Taylor County jail.
At the time of the incident, Lawrence was in a romantic relationship with Sandra Taylor. The couple had spent the Friday and Friday night at Sandra’s brother Robert Taylor’s residence in the city of Medford. According to the criminal complaint, multiple verbal arguments took place between Sandra and Lawrence. Lawrence then went to leave and called a friend to give him a ride.
Lawrence attempted to gather his property and Sandra alleges to have been pushed. Lawrence called 9-1-1 for assistance and he was advised to wait for an officer.
While waiting for an officer, there was physical pushing between Robert Taylor and Lawrence outside the residence near the sidewalk. Lawrence pushed Robert Taylor and as a result Taylor fell backward striking his head on the concrete. At that time, law enforcement arrived on the scene to find Robert Taylor unconscious with severe medical injuries as a result of the fall.
According to the criminal complaint and report from Medford Police Officer Matt Hoops, “Upon my arrival I saw Larry Lawrence approach my squad car. I saw a male later identified as Robert Taylor lying on the sidewalk. … I started by tending to Robert's medical needs. He was lying on his back on the sidewalk. He was breathing but unconscious and not responsive. Larry and Sandra continued to verbally argue and had to be commanded to stop their actions. Sandra spoke about how Robert was pushed or struck by Larry. Larry commented how Robert hit him first. I requested assistance from other units and EMS to respond. I continued to monitor Robert until EMS arrived.”
Taylor was ultimately transferred from the scene by ambulance and remained unconscious and not responsive. He was eventually transported by helicopter to Aspirus Wausau Hospital with skull fractures. Robert Taylor’s family removed him from life support and on the following Monday Robert Taylor died.
According to the criminal complaint Sandra stated Robert came outside to bring additional property belonging to Lawrence. Lawrence and Robert got into a verbal argument about money paid/owed between Sandra and Lawrence. She said they stood face-to-face verbally confronting each other. Sandra told officers that Lawrence then pushed Robert with two hands backwards, causing Robert to fall to the ground.
According to the criminal complaint, Lawrence told officers that Robert Taylor got in his face and was yelling at him. He said Robert Taylor threatened to punch him and started to lunge towards him. Lawrence said that he put his hand up, blocking him, and that Robert Taylor fell.
According to the criminal complaint, later, after being taken into custody, Lawrence told Officer Hoops that he had not been truthful at the incident scene. According to the complaint, he said Robert Taylor came after him with a pocket knife. Lawrence said after Robert Taylor fell, Sandra gave the knife to her son William. He said he pushed Robert Taylor away because he was protecting himself.
At the time of the incident, Lawrence was out on bond from a domestic abuse case in Langlade County with conditions of the bond including the “Defendant shall not commit any crime.”
On January 13, Larry L. Lawrence II, 47, of Medford, was found guilty due to a no contest plea of physical abuse of elder person - recklessly cause great bodily harm and strangulation and suffocation - domestic abuse. Charges of substantial battery - intend bodily harm, disorderly conduct, felony bail jumping, intimidate victim/domestic abuse crime, and disorderly conduct-domestic abuse were dismissed but read in for sentencing.
A sentencing hearing will be held on April 16 at 10 a.m.
