NELSON COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) - Randy Taylor, 48, appeared in Nelson County court Thursday as his first-degree murder and abduction trial got underway. Taylor is accused of abducting and killing Lovingston teenager Alexis Murphy.
It took a full eight hours to seat a jury that will decide Taylor's fate. Murphy's loved ones said they were pleased with the diverse makeup of the jury that included eight women and six men.
Murphy, 17, was last seen Aug. 03, 2013. Prosecutors charged Taylor with murder despite the fact police never found Murphy's body.
Taylor has admitted he was with Murphy the last day she was seen alive, but contends he was not the last person to see her. He claimed Murphy left Taylor's home with another man during a drug deal.
In court Thursday, Taylor appeared in front of a small crowd, comprised mostly of Alexis Murphy's family, wearing a humble shirt and tie and plead not guilty to all charges.
Opening statements were scheduled to begin Friday morning.
