PICTURED: Personal trainer dad, 34, accused of beheading his son, 12, and daughter, 13, tells court he is not guilty and says inmates will 'kill him' in jail
- Maurice Jewel Taylor Sr. was arraigned at Antelope Valley Courthouse Monday
- He was charged with killing son Maurice, 12, and daughter Maliaka, 13, on November 29 in Lancaster; prosecutors said it was days before they were found
- His two younger children were shown their siblings’ bodies, prosecutors said
- Taylor faces two felony counts each of murder and child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death
- On Monday he told the court police and other inmates were trying to kill him and said he was an 'educated fitness trainer which is equal to being a doctor'
- He is said to have refused an attorney and told the judge he was not guilty
The personal trainer dad accused of beheading his teenage daughter and 12-year-old son at their California home appeared in court in handcuffs on Monday.
Maurice Jewel Taylor Sr., 34, was arraigned at Antelope Valley Courthouse where is said to have refused an attorney and told Judge Alan Rosenfield he was not guilty.
He was charged with fatally stabbing son Maurice, 12, and daughter Maliaka, 13, on November 29 in Lancaster. It was five days before their bodies were found, prosecutors said.
Taylor faces two felony counts each of murder and child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death, the Los Angeles County District Attorney´s Office announced earlier this month.
On Monday he told the court police and other inmates were trying kill him and said he was an 'educated fitness trainer which is equal to being a doctor'. The court ordered another hearing in January.
His other two boys, ages eight and nine, were shown their siblings’ bodies and forced to stay in their bedrooms for several days without food, prosecutors had said. It has previously been reported the children's mother was also at the home.
Maurice Jewel Taylor Sr. was arraigned at Antelope Valley Courthouse Monday
Taylor was charged with fatally stabbing son Maurice, 12, right and daughter Maliaka, 13, left
Taylor worked at a physical therapy center in Santa Monica but had been conducting training sessions online during the coronavirus pandemic.
Some of his clients contacted authorities after he failed to show up for scheduled appointments, leading to the discovery of the victims.
Taylor had been held in lieu of $4.2 million bail. If convicted, he faces a possible maximum sentence of more than 57 years to life in state prison.
Friends have since set up a GoFundMe to raise money for the family.
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Taylor faces two felony counts each of murder and child abuse under circumstances or conditions likely to cause great bodily injury or death
On Monday he told the court police and other inmates were trying kill him and said he was an 'educated fitness trainer which is equal to being a doctor'
His other two boys, ages eight and nine, were shown their siblings’ bodies and forced to stay in their bedrooms for several days without food, prosecutors had said. It has previously been reported the children's mother was also at the home, pictured
Exclusive video footage obtained by DailyMail.com had shown the moment Taylor was wheeled away from the scene handcuffed to a stretcher.
Lauren Henry, who used to live next door to the family, told DailyMail.com: 'I remember when each of the four kids were born and I remember the excitement there was surrounding them.
'As they grew up, it was obvious they had a sense for adventure and new experiences, even at a young age. Maliaka was very smart, very adventurous and observant. She really would have grown to reach her potential.
'Mo Jr. looked up to his big sister and admired all she did. I’m sure they stuck very close to each other as they grew older and I know they were together in the end. I will always remember their smiling faces.'
Taylor is said to have refused an attorney and told the judge he was not guilty
Taylor worked at a physical therapy center in Santa Monica but had been conducting training sessions online during the coronavirus pandemic. Taylor had been held in lieu of $4.2 million bail. If convicted, he faces a possible maximum sentence of more than 57 years to life in prison
Authorities made the gruesome discovery while responding to reports of a possible gas leak at a property on the 45000 block of Century Circle, where children were found in separate bedrooms with lacerations and stab wounds.
Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris said both victims had been decapitated and described the scene as 'brutal'.
It is unknown what motivated the attack but Taylor's personal training clients told the LA Times they had grown concerned over his well-being earlier in the week.
The fitness trainer, who was described as 'mellow' and 'reliable', had sparked concerns when he failed to show up for fitness sessions he had been running over Zoom.
Exclusive video footage obtained by DailyMail.com had shown the moment Taylor was wheeled away from the scene handcuffed to a stretcher
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