SALINAS, Calif. - A Watsonville man and his girlfriend were convicted this week on misdemeanor elder abuse charges, following a two week jury trial.
However, the jury returned not guilty verdicts on felony charges for 51-year-old George Taylor, Jr. and 53-year-old Kathleen Park.
According to Monterey County District Attorney Dean D. Flippo, the defendants father, George Taylor Sr., was age 94 at the time of the abuse in May of 2010. The victim testified at a videotaped conditional exam in January 2011, that his son, defendant George Taylor, Jr., slapped him, punched him in the abdomen, wrenched his arm behind his back, and called him profane names.
The victim also testified that Kathleen Park, slapped him, grabbed his face and pulled his ears while calling him profane names.
The defendants' landlord eventually contacted Adult Protective Services who initiated an inquiry which was investigated by the Monterey County Sheriff's Office. The victim passed away due to natural causes in 2011, 13 days after his testimony.
George Taylor Jr. is a licensed physical therapist in the Monterey County area.
Sentencing is set for November 27th, before Judge Mark E. Hood.
