JEFFERSON COUNTY — The trial of a 25-year-old Mt. Vernon man for the 2011 shooting death of a Mt. Vernon cab driver continues Monday after ending the week with testimony regarding an alleged jailhouse confession.

Mark Taylor
(Source: JCSO)

Mark Taylor Jr., is charged with the murder of 75-year-old cab driver Charles Ellis during a botched robbery on a Mt. Vernon street.

According to testimony Friday from Stacy Garrison, formerly known as Stacy Ellis, she was an inmate at the Jefferson County Jail in 2012 when a note was slipped under the door of her cell.

The note reportedly included details about Charles Ellis’ murder and was signed by “Mark-Block E.”

Garrison testified that while her last name at the time was Ellis, she was not related to the victim. However, she gave the note to a corrections officer hoping it could help his family find closure.

In the note “Mark” apologized for his part in the murder and said if he could go back he would jump in front of the bullet and if he’d known it would lead her to a life of drugs he wouldn’t have done it.

Taylor is one of four people charged in connection with the robbery attempt and murder. Damondros James pleaded guilty in 2014 and was sentenced to 50 years in prison, Damandrae Black has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role, and Christopher Wells has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

Testimony in the Taylor case is expected to resume at 9 a.m. Monday.