Jermain Taylor pleads innocent in cousin's shooting

Former professional boxing champion Jermain Taylor pleaded innocent Wednesday to first-degree domestic battery and aggravated assault charges over accusations he shot his cousin during an altercation Tuesday night at Taylor's home outside Maumelle.

Taylor, 36, made an initial video appearance Wednesday morning in Pulaski County District Court after his arrest Tuesday night, and a preliminary innocent plea was entered for him. Taylor's bail was set at $25,000, and he posted bond later in the morning.

Authorities were called to the home at 1 Vintage Drive about 6 p.m. after a report of a shooting there. The cousin, identified in a Pulaski County sheriff's office report as Tyrone Dawayne Hinton, 41, of Jacksonville, who was said to be in serious condition Tuesday night, was found at a nearby Dollar General store. Police believe Hinton and another man with him drove there after the shooting. The court Wednesday ordered that Taylor have no contact with the two men.

In addition, the former middleweight boxing champion must sign a waiver of extradition because he will report to Miami for training this weekend and has an October fight scheduled in Connecticut.

Prosecutors said during the hearing that Taylor said he had had previous problems with the two men and that they showed up "uninvited."

Taylor told them to leave and then retrieved a gun, ultimately shooting the cousin at least twice, prosecutors said.

The cousin was said to be sedated in the Intensive Care Unit.

Allison Allred, who said she has represented Taylor for 15 years, asked the judge for a lower bail and that he be allowed to train in Miami and fight in the scheduled match in Connecticut.

"This is 100 percent of his ability to support his family," she told Judge Wayne Gruber. "It will strip him of his ability to support his family if he's unable to report to camp" and fight in October.

After the hearing, Allred said it would be "inappropriate" to comment on the case other than to say Taylor will fight the charges.

"Of course," she said. "We want the system to run its course."

Taylor spoke only briefly, answering affirmatively when Gruber asked whether he understood the process.

At one point, Gruber warned Taylor that a violation of the no-contact order would result in jailing "regardless of whether you have a prize fight or any training in the future."

He then asked whether Taylor understood.

"Yes, sir," he replied. "I do."

In setting the bail, Gruber said he took into account the serious injuries, noting that the case could conceivably result in a murder charge if the victim dies.

"We certainly hope that's not the case," he said.

Taylor appeared by video, but Allred and another attorney were in court, as was Taylor's wife, her attorney and a bail bondsman.

Taylor walked out of jail beside the bail bondsman shortly after 11 a.m. He declined to comment on the case.

Read more about this story in Thursday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.