Records: Cedar Rapids woman accused of slashing man’s throat had threatened to kill him before

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Cedar Rapids woman accused of slashing a man’s throat Sunday also threatened to kill him earlier this year with a “large shard of glass” in another incident where she was charged with breaking into his home.

Latoya Taylor, 40, pleaded in February to first-degree harassment, an aggravated misdemeanor, and fourth-degree criminal mischief, a serious misdemeanor. A second-degree burglary charge was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

  Buy Photo

In that incident, Taylor broke out glass on multiple windows and damaged a screen door and frame while trying to get in the house at 1525 Washington Ave. SE, which was occupied by Willie Davis Jr., 63, and three others, according to a criminal complaint. Once inside the home, she picked up the shard of glass and threatened to kill Davis.

A judge entered a protective order for Davis, but Taylor violated the order June 8. She was found in contempt Sept. 1 by 6th Judicial District Judge Christopher Bruns. He sentenced her to seven days in jail, but she had 120 days in which to serve her time.

According to the protective order in that case, the two were not intimate partners.

Last Sunday, Taylor went to Davis’ residence and took a knife and “in a swinging motion” threatened to kill him, according to criminal complaint. A witness told police that Taylor was the aggressor and she was “aiming” the knife at Davis’ neck. Taylor did cut his neck and it was bleeding when officers arrived.

Taylor fled the house when she heard sirens, the complaint stated. Police were called and arrived about 6 p.m. and saw the suspect, Taylor, leaving in her mother’s vehicle. When two officers activated their lights and sirens to stop her, she attempted to elude and during the chase ran a stop light and exceeded the speed limit by 25 mph or more.

The chase ended when officers deployed stops sticks — to puncture tires — and Taylor pulled into the parking lot of the Cedar Rapids Police Department, according to the complaint. Officers could smell an alcoholic beverage on her, as well as signs of intoxication. Field sobriety tests were performed and then after taking her to the Linn County Jail, she provided a breath test that registered a blood alcohol content of .216, over twice the legal limit for driving. According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, Taylor was barred from driving, the complaint stated.

Davis was taken to a hospital but his injuries were not life threatening, police said.

Taylor was charged Monday with attempted murder; willful injury causing bodily injury; operating while intoxicated - third or subsequent offense; and eluding while exceeding speed limit by 25 mph or more and driving while barred - habitual offender. She also was cited for several traffic violations.

Sixth Judicial Associate District Judge Russell Keast ordered a $75,000 bail, and Taylor remained in jail pending trial. If convicted of attempted murder, she faces 25 years in prison.

Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com