Obituary for Daniel Thomas Taylor III Daniel Thomas Taylor III, 90, of Prospect, Kentucky, passed away the 21st day of November, 2018, at Norton Hospital Brownsboro Road in Louisville. Mr. Taylor was born February 16, 1928, in Beuchel, Kentucky and is survived by his wife of 40 years, Judith King Taylor. He graduated high school from the Kentucky Military Institute in Lyndon, Kentucky at age 16 and enlisted in the United States Navy on his 17th birthday in l945.
He entered the Navy Officers Training Program and later the University of South Carolina for further training. In 1948, he was honorably discharged from the Navy and entered Centre College in Danville, Kentucky where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta. After graduating Centre College, Mr. Taylor entered the University of Louisville College of Law.
He began his practice of law in Louisville, Kentucky, in l954. Mr. Taylor’s legal career spanned 64 years. He gained a reputation as a leading criminal defense, civil rights, and civil liberties attorney.
He was active as an attorney in desegregation cases in Mississippi in the 1960s. He declined to represent corporations, insurance companies or government entities. Mr. Taylor represented defendants in many high- profile jury trials.
These cases include ‘The Black Six’ charged with attempting to blow up oil refining tanks during civil disturbances in Louisville in l968. At trial the court directed a verdict of acquittal dismissing the charges. Mr. Taylor represented three men accused of robbing a Lexington bank.
The case was tried before a jury in the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Kentucky. At the close of the government’s case, the court directed a verdict of acquittal. In 1970, college campuses erupted in protest of the Viet Nam war, especially following the shooting deaths of four Kent State University students by the Ohio National Guard during campus protests.
The president of Western Kentucky University barred “students from congregating”. Mr. Taylor challenged the policy as violating the First Amendment “right of the people to peaceably assemble,” and it was withdrawn by the administration. According to a student attending in 1970, “Mr. Taylor was a hero to students at Western”.
Taylor had more capital trials than any other lawyer practicing in Kentucky. Taylor never lost a capital case except one case that is currently on appeal. He had jury trials throughout Kentucky ranging from DUIs to capital murder.
He represented criminal defendants, not only in Kentucky, but in 13 other states. The Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers awarded Taylor the Frank E. Hadad Jr. Award. The award is “given in recognition of exceptional professional achievement which had a profound effect and sustained impact on the protection of the constitutional rights of citizens accused or convicted of a criminal offense”.
Taylor remained active in his law practice until recently. He represented clients before the Kentucky Court of Appeals, the Kentucky Supreme Court, and the Kentucky Board of Claims. In September 2018, Taylor successfully concluded litigation against the Kentucky State Police arising out of the death of an 18-year-old man killed 22 years ago.
The case was litigated before the Kentucky Board of Claims, and the appeals reached the Kentucky Supreme Court. Despite physical infirmities Taylor remained mentally alert until the last few days of his life. Taylor was a member of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the National Lawyers Guild and the Emergency Civil Liberties Union.
Dan was an animal lover and shared his life with numerous dogs and cats. He was a frequent donor to the Barren River Animal Welfare Association (BRAWA). In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be sent to BRAWA, P.O. Box 171, Glasgow, KY 42141 or to your favorite animal welfare charity.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 12:00pm EST at Ratterman Brothers Funeral Home, 3711 Lexington Road, St. Matthews, Kentucky. Visitation shall be also at the funeral home from 10:00am until the time of service. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Daniel Thomas Taylor III please visit our Sympathy Store.
Upcoming Events Visitation , NOV 27. 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Ratterman Brothers Funeral Home St Matthews 3711 Lexington Rd. Louisville, KY, US, 40207 admin@rattermans.com rattermanbrothers.com Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Daniel’s Visitation begins.
Funeral Service , NOV 27. 12:00 PM Ratterman Brothers Funeral Home St Matthews 3711 Lexington Rd. Louisville, KY, US, 40207 admin@rattermans.com rattermanbrothers.com Order Flowers for the Funeral Service Guaranteed delivery before Daniel’s Funeral Service begins.
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