Opinion ID: 1390030
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Evidentiary Hearing Testimony

Text: On June 2, 2004, Mr. Taylor testified at an evidentiary hearing. Mr. Taylor began by explaining that in 1983 he could identify the difference between P.F. Flyer basketball shoes and Pro-Keds basketball shoes. (6/02/04 HRT 2, 3.) He also correctly identified pictures of both a Pro-Keds Dude and a P.F. Flyer tennis shoe. (6/02/04 HRT 5, 6; Resp. Evidentiary Hr'g Ex. CC, photo 1 (P.F. Flyer) and photos 2 and 3(Pro-Keds).) He further identified the Dude tennis shoe as being a black canvas shoe with the words Pro-Keds on the back of the shoe. (6/02/04 HRT 4; Resp. Evidentiary Hr'g Ex. CC, photo 1 (P.F. Flyer) and photos 2 and 3 (Pro-Keds)). He explained that the P.F. Flyer is an everyday tennis shoe and that the Pro-Keds Dude is a better-made shoe that he would give to the basketball players. (6/02/04 HRT 3-6.) This is consistent with Lt. Smith's testimony that the prisoners would organize unofficial basketball teams. (6/02/04 HRT 221-22.) He gave Petitioner a pair of Pro-Keds. (6/02/04 HRT 43.) Mr. Taylor could not recall at the hearing whether he had given Petitioner a pair of P.F. Flyers prior to exchanging them for Pro-Keds Dude tennis shoes. (6/02/04 HRT 36, 41, 42.) He did verify his trial testimony as truthful, however, and stated that he was sure he had given Petitioner a pair of Pro-Keds Dude tennis shoes. (6/02/04 HRT 6.) During the interview with investigator Coke, Mr. Taylor stated many times that he gave Petitioner Pro-Keds Dude tennis shoes. (6/02/04 HRT 12.) He told investigator Coke that he had told the truth already at trial and that there was nothing to expound upon. (6/02/04 Id. at 12.) Mr. Taylor explained that he was confused by his conversation with investigator Coke. (6/02/04 HRT 13, 26, 60, 61.) He explained that the Pro-Keds tennis shoes he gave to Petitioner and that he identified in the pictures at the hearing (6/02/04 hearing, Resp't's Ex. CC, photos nos. 2 and 3 of the Pro-Keds) were sometimes called Pro Keds or P.F. Flyer Pro Keds. ( Id. at 13, 14.) Mr. Taylor explained that the declaration did not reflect what he was attempting to convey, that he gave Petitioner a pair of Pro-Keds that were not returned. (6/02/04 at 67-69.) Taylor was unequivocal at the hearing that he gave Petitioner Pro-Keds: Ms. Wilkens: Mr. Taylor, sitting here today, do you have any doubt whatsoever that the brand of shoes you provided to Kevin Cooper prior to his escape from CIM that were not returned to you were Pro Ked (sic) tennis shoes? Mr. Taylor: I have no doubt that they were Pro-Ked (sic), and these are the modelsmiddle and bottom on whatever page you want to call that. Ms. Wilkens: So Exhibit CC that's in front of you now. Mr. Taylor. Yes. (6/02/04 at 21, 22.) Mr. Taylor's credible testimony at the evidentiary hearing corroborates his trial testimony that he gave Petitioner a pair of Pro-Keds Dude tennis shoes, which Mr. Taylor correctly identified by sight, and that Petitioner never returned those shoes. Mr. Taylor was simply confused by his interview with investigator Coke, who destroyed her notes of the interview. He believed that his recent declaration reflected that he gave Petitioner the Pro-Keds Dude tennis shoes. He also correctly identified pictures of the Pro-Keds Dude tennis shoes as the type of shoes that he gave to Petitioner. Therefore, the Court concludes therefore that there was no recantation by Mr. Taylor and that Petitioner had a pair of Pro-Keds Dude tennis shoes when he escaped from CIM.