Earl Taylor

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A Legacy of Justice: Dr. Roland Kohr's Unorthodox Career

Dr. Roland Kohr, a distinguished coroner with decades of experience spanning 13 counties in Indiana and Illinois, has seen more than his share of unusual cases. Though typically called to testify for the prosecution, his expertise has been sought in both civil and criminal cases, including cold cases requiring fresh perspectives. One such case involved Earl Taylor, a man whose actions would haunt two generations of Terre Haute residents.

The Death of Earl's Second Wife: A Midnight Drive Turned Deadly

In 1987, Earl Taylor claimed his wife couldn’t sleep one night. His solution? A late-night drive, supposedly to help her relax. After waking a babysitter and dropping off their two young children, the couple embarked on a drive that would end in tragedy.

According to Earl, a raccoon darted across the road, causing his wife to swerve their Pontiac Fiero into a pond. Earl allegedly escaped but was unable to free his wife. He ran to a nearby condominium complex for help, conveniently knocking on the door of their church minister. By the time first responders arrived, his wife had drowned.

The story unraveled quickly. Investigators found several troubling details:

• The driver's seat was pushed so far back that Earl's wife, barely over five feet tall, couldn’t have reached the pedals.
• The driver’s seatbelt was jammed into the passenger-side receptacle, rigged with a coin to prevent release.
• Black electrical tape obscured the dome light, making the interior harder to see.
• A child's rubber ball had been wedged into the door and steering wheel, locking the wheel in a straight position.