Richard Taylor denied bail in arson that killed his mom and stepdad
Hamilton elementary school teacher faces two counts of first-degree murder in Dundas fire deaths
A Hamilton elementary school teacher accused of killing his mom and stepdad in a deliberately-set fire at their Dundas home has been denied bail.
Richard (Rich) Taylor is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the arson killings of 64-year-old Carla and 63-year-old Alan Rutherford.
The retired couple died in a fire that began in the bedroom of their 8 Greening Ct. home while they slept early on the morning of July 9, 2018.
A three-day bail hearing was held Feb. 18 to 20.
In court on Friday, Superior Court Justice Paul Sweeny denied Taylor bail.
Details of the hearing, including reasons for judgment cannot be shared because of a publication ban.
Taylor, dressed in a black suit and white dress shirt, his head shaved, stared ahead quietly as the judgment was read.
Behind him sat his wife, father and other family members who had proposed themselves as sureties. They said nothing when the verdict was announced.
During the bail hearing, Taylor
was represented by defence attorney Alison Craig. On Friday, an agent for Craig appeared in court.
Soon after the verdict, the family left the courtroom to find a private place to talk.
Also assembled in the court were half a dozen homicide investigators from the Hamilton police major crime unit.
Both police and assistant Crown attorney Janet Booy declined to comment.
The Spectator has previously reported that Hamilton police allege the murders were financially motivated.
Rich Taylor was desperate for money at the time of the murders.
In an exclusive series called Dying Words, The Spectator revealed Al, who escaped the fire to go a neighbour’s house for help, told witnesses it was “Rich.”
Al died later in hospital. Carla never made it out of her house and died at the scene.
The intense fire shot flames above the treeline and quickly destroyed the bedroom, while other parts of the home remained intact.
The Rutherfords were described by many as a well-liked retired couple. It was a second marriage for both of them.
Carla quilted and Al was a fitness buff. They were longtime members of a yacht club. They loved their two Labradors and their grandkids.
At the time of their murders, police said they had no enemies.
The single-storey, ranch-style home on Greening Court was Rich Taylor’s childhood home, where he grew up with his younger brother.
He lived with his wife and children in Oakville at the time of the murders and taught at Hess Street Elementary School.
Taylor has been on leave from his job since his arrest in January 2019.
Taylor was remanded into custody until the start of his preliminary hearing on April 7.