Taylor cites ‘failing health’ in resignation letter Friday

Jerry Taylor is no longer Whitley County Jailer.
Taylor, his attorney, Ron Reynolds, and a former deputy jailer walked into the office of Whitley County Judge-Executive Mike Patrick about 3:30 p.m. Friday, where Taylor submitted a one sentence resignation letter.
“Due to my failing health and continuing medical problems, I do hereby resign my elected position of Whitley County Jailer, effective immediately,” the letter stated noting that the resignation was effective at 3:30 p.m.
Patrick said there was no discussion with him when Taylor showed up at the office to submit his resignation.
“There was no discussion with me. We exchanged documents. I exchanged a letter that I accepted it, and that was that,” Patrick said noting that he had been given some warning earlier Friday afternoon by Taylor’s attorney that the resignation might be coming.
“I’m glad to have part of it behind us, and I look forward to us trying to move forward from here,” Patrick said. “It is still going to be a bumpy road out there, but at least we can start moving forward again I believe.”
Patrick said state law allowed him to accept Taylor’s resignation without calling for a special meeting of the fiscal court.
On Sept. 14, a Whitley County Grand Jury handed down a 19-count indictment against Taylor charging him with five counts of first-degree forgery, five counts of theft by unlawful taking over $300, and for four counts each of trafficking in a controlled substance and promoting contraband. In addition, Taylor was also indicted for misfeasance and/or malfeasance in office and/or willful neglect in the discharge of his official duties, which is a misdemeanor offense.
His son and former chief deputy jailer Jerry A. Taylor was indicted for seven counts of trafficking in a controlled substance and for seven counts of promoting contraband.
Taylor and his son were scheduled to be arraigned Monday, but because Circuit Judge Jerry Winchester has recused himself from hearing the case, the hearing was delayed.
William T. Cain, a retired Pulaski County judge, has been named the special judge in the case, and the arraignment is now scheduled for Oct. 12 in Laurel Circuit Court.
Pulaski County Commonwealth’s Attorney Eddie Montgomery, who is special prosecutor in the case, said Cain has to be in London that day for other court matters, and wanted to conduct the arraignment there.
Jerry F. Taylor and his attorney have reportedly been in negotiations with the special prosecutor in the case over a possible plea agreement, but there has been no official word on whether a plea agreement has been worked out.
Montgomery said he couldn’t say whether any plea agreement had been worked out.
Taylor could not be reached at his home for comment Monday, and Reynolds declined to answer questions regarding the case.