Within the ongoing trial for the 2017 homicide of Mark Saldivar, Tay-Ok’s ex-girlfriend, Joanna Reyes, has recognized the rapper because the shooter. Reyes, who was as soon as in a relationship with the controversial artist, herself confronted accusations associated to the homicide. She was allegedly the driving force concerned within the capturing however has since turned authorities witness, accepting a plea deal on a lesser cost of tampering with proof.
Throughout her testimony, Reyes revealed that she had organized a photoshoot with Saldivar, Tay-Ok, and two others, Jalen Bell and Jeremiah Rodriguez, on the day of the incident. In line with Reyes, the occasions shortly took a violent flip when Tay-Ok allegedly pulled a gun on Saldivar, demanding his backpack. When Saldivar refused, the group reportedly started assaulting him.
Reyes described how Saldivar tried to flee by climbing onto the hood of the automobile. She acknowledged that Tay-Ok then pointed the gun at her and ordered her to get Saldivar down. When she failed to take action, she testified that Tay-Ok leaned out of the automobile and shot Saldivar.
Reyes admitted that she didn’t report the incident instantly, citing worry for her personal security and issues that Tay-Ok had threatened each her and her household.
Tay-Ok, whose actual identify is Taymor McIntyre, initially gained fame along with his 2017 hit single “The Race.” He was beforehand convicted in a separate 2016 homicide case related to a house invasion, receiving a 30-year sentence for aggravated theft together with two extra 13-year sentences for different counts of theft. These sentences are being served concurrently.
The homicide of Saldivar occurred whereas Tay-Ok was on the run from authorities after chopping off his ankle monitor, violating home arrest. In 2023, the rapper, at present incarcerated, posted on social media asking the choose for a second likelihood, expressing frustration over his prolonged sentence.
“I actually simply want 1 likelihood @ maturity,” he wrote. “I guess if I used to be a lil white child they wouldn’t have gave me no 55 years for against the law I used to be alleged to play essentially the most insignificant function in once I was 16… they woulda rightfully argued that my thoughts wasn’t totally developed and gave me rehabilitation and a 2nd (1st) likelihood at maturity.”
Tay-Ok additional identified the disparity between his sentence and that of a white feminine co-defendant, who, regardless of being 16 on the time, acquired 10 years of probation. “One in all my co-defendants was a white lady who was 16 similar to me… they didn’t certify her as an grownup however they licensed me and [another co-defendant] as adults. She ended up getting 10 years of probation with none deal… that lady is house proper now.”
The trial continues, and the testimony by Reyes has added additional complexity to Tay-Ok’s already contentious authorized historical past.