Murder trial begins

Published 12:44 pm Tuesday, April 26, 2016

A three-day trial is set this week for a 42-year-old Buckingham man who police say killed two men in November 2014.

Gregory Anthony Taylor is set to stand trial on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in Buckingham Circuit Court.

According to felony arrest warrants, Taylor is charged in connection with the deaths of 65-year-old Radford Thomas Ranson and 51-year-old Kenneth Dean Beasley, both of Dillwyn.

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Taylor is charged with seven felonies, including two counts of murder in the first degree, use of a firearm in committing of a felony and capital murder of multiple persons. Taylor has been indicted on all charges.

The Buckingham County Sheriff’s Office calls the November 2014 incident a double homicide.

According to a press release dated Nov. 23, 2014, from Buckingham Sheriff William G. “Billy” Kidd Jr., “On Nov. 23 … at around 4:38 a.m., the Buckingham County Emergency Communications Center received a call about a shooting that occurred at 78 Roachs Lane (in) Dillwyn … Deputies responded and discovered two deceased males. …”

The release states that a joint investigation between the sheriff’s office and the Virginia State Police led to Taylor’s arrest.

The suspect was apprehended at the scene by deputies, stated the release.