Capital murder charge for man accused of stabbing 14-year-old boy
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The man charged with stabbing a 14-year-old boy two weeks ago will face more serious charges. Christopher Bert Taylor, 52, is now charged with capital murder, upgraded from murder, because prosecutors say Taylor robbed the teenager while stabbing him.
Taylor was arrested after investigators received a Crime Stoppers tip. Investigators say Joseph Aguirre-Flores, 14, was stabbed seven times outside a check cashing place. Surveillance video shows him staggering toward Beechnut Street moments before he collapsed.
Prosecutors say Taylor and another woman were panhandling when they got into the car with Flores, who was driving. The Harris County Assistant DA says there was a fourth person in the car, a juvenile who was Flores' friend, who said he saw the robbery.
"According to that male before the murder, he had indicated to the complainant that he wanted his money and this was a robbery," said Harris County Assistant District Attorney Denise Nichols.
Surveillance video shows moments after teen stabbed in southwest Houston
So what does the upgrade from murder to capital murder mean? The state could seek the death penalty.
If they choose not to seek the death penalty and Taylor is found guilty, it would mean life in prison with no parole.
Taylor is in jail with no bond.
