'Everybody saw it coming': Victim's family calls for supervision
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OLYMPIA, Wash. -- A rape victim's family is pushing for changes to the law as the convicted rapist stands accused of attacking another woman.
Cheryl Miller and her daughter have been living a nightmare ever since convicted rapist Christopher Taylor was released from prison.
"It'll never go away," said Miller, whose daughter fell victim to Taylor. "You don't live through having those threats made to you and yours, and get over it."
Taylor, who was convicted of raping a family member, was freed in 2010. While serving his sentence, he was caught with a five-page hand-written request for a hit man, detailing how he wanted his victim and her family killed.
"Those bitches need to die. I could burn that whole family alive," the letter said.
Taylor was arrested earlier this month, accused of a violent assault. Court records indicate Taylor allegedly tried to strangle a 24-year-old woman.
"Everybody saw it coming," Miller said. "He's going to hurt somebody, kill somebody."
Taylor, a level-three sex offender, has been classified by the Department of Corrections as "highly violent," a category reserved for inmates at the highest risk to violently re-offend.
In spite of the classification, the DOC, bound by a rule change, had to stop supervising him once he finished serving his sentence.
"Community corrections officers have the same angst around not supervising people that they believe are risky. And in some cases, they truly are risky, as in this case," said Asst. DOC Secretary Anmarie Aylward.
Miller says the law let down both her family and Taylor's alleged new victim.
"Something has to change. There's no reason this person had to go through the hell that they went through," she said.
Both Miller and the DOC agree any change will have to start in Olympia with state legislators willing to both change the law and to pay for increased supervision of criminals.
Taylor, who has not yet been charged, is being held at the Snohomish County Jail on $500,000 bail.
Cheryl Miller and her daughter have been living a nightmare ever since convicted rapist Christopher Taylor was released from prison.
"It'll never go away," said Miller, whose daughter fell victim to Taylor. "You don't live through having those threats made to you and yours, and get over it."
Taylor, who was convicted of raping a family member, was freed in 2010. While serving his sentence, he was caught with a five-page hand-written request for a hit man, detailing how he wanted his victim and her family killed.
"Those bitches need to die. I could burn that whole family alive," the letter said.
Taylor was arrested earlier this month, accused of a violent assault. Court records indicate Taylor allegedly tried to strangle a 24-year-old woman.
"Everybody saw it coming," Miller said. "He's going to hurt somebody, kill somebody."
Taylor, a level-three sex offender, has been classified by the Department of Corrections as "highly violent," a category reserved for inmates at the highest risk to violently re-offend.
In spite of the classification, the DOC, bound by a rule change, had to stop supervising him once he finished serving his sentence.
"Community corrections officers have the same angst around not supervising people that they believe are risky. And in some cases, they truly are risky, as in this case," said Asst. DOC Secretary Anmarie Aylward.
Miller says the law let down both her family and Taylor's alleged new victim.
"Something has to change. There's no reason this person had to go through the hell that they went through," she said.
Both Miller and the DOC agree any change will have to start in Olympia with state legislators willing to both change the law and to pay for increased supervision of criminals.
Taylor, who has not yet been charged, is being held at the Snohomish County Jail on $500,000 bail.
Why should level 3 anything have an "end" to their sentence? Isn't there a 3-strikes law in this state? You can't possible work up to a level 3 offender without accumulating a few arrests along the way?Â
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When people go this far, we should have a deep mine shaft somewhere to let these guys finish there sentences in after we unceremoniously drop them in. How many lives would have been saved in the past had offenders, such as this one who, admittedly, everyone knows is going to be trouble, were just left to rot in prison or given the death penalty? This guy obviously has anger issues against women. There's no changing that at his stage in life, except, perhaps, with a lobotomy? Better to end his lifelong misery (and save a few people along the way) by terminating his life.
Sentencing guidelines need to be changed so all sex offenses have stiffer sentences. Right now, there is a limit as to how long they can be sentenced for. Level 3 should be life sentences. And what other crimes have "levels" attached. I don't see a level 3 car thief or level 3 murderer. Because we all know that is just ridiculous.
supervising criminals is pointless. Â When some gets out of prison, they are either going to be law abiding, or they are not, and no amount of supervising is going to change that. Â Maybe the law that needs to change is the one that allows uber violent offenders to be released in the first place.
Arm yourself. Be prepared to defend yourself, all the time, everywhere. It's that simple.
 @blaster "Arming yourself" is not the answer.  Fixing the problem is....
 @Poisonous Giraffe Yeah, maybe he should go to counseling!!!!!
I'd rather change the law so these creeps that authorities know are going to hurt people, don't get out. You'd think public threat would be enough.
 @super I believe the point that blaster is trying to make is: Don't be a victim in the first place and a dead rapist won't need 'supervision'.
The recidivism rate for animals like this who get locked up for life is ZERO.
Why wasn't he assessed under RCW 71.09 as a violent predator.
Ladies? Considering our judicial system and it's high rate of failure, I would encourage ALL of you to get a concealed pistol license, a nice weapon, and a membership to a target range. Practice, learn your weapon, and if you are attacked by a sleazebag like this one, he won't GET a second chance. Face it people. Our Justice system can NOT (or WILL not) protect us, and it's becoming more and more necessary for us to take care of ourselves and our own. I'm not talking vigilante justice here, I'm talking self defense and looking out for #1. The more armed, law abiding citizens we have out there, the higher the odds are that the criminals will lose the little "Russian Roulette" game they play when choosing their victims.
@LoudNoises
As much as I hate the use of violence, I am forced to agree with you. Â I would go one-step further though, there is a group of misguided lawyers in our country who are willing to jump on the bandwagon to "protect the rights of the guilty" at the cost of the victims. Â Then we have the spineless, self-aggrandizing legislators in Olympia, not to mention the rest of the country who are unwilling to take a hard stand against career criminals. Â Where does that leave us, victimized by the criminals, the legal system, and those in a position to put some teeth in the laws to remove the dregs of society from the earth? Â If a person is a repeat offender, they have demonstrated that they have no desire to change and will continue to prey upon the innocent and law-abiding people. Â *stepping down off of my soap box* Â Â
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@LoudNoises Being a lady, I agree with you!!!! Not only a gun, but I often carry a nice big knife believe it or not. One grab from some pervert and the knife comes out and I will slash and stab with no remorse.
 @Koawoodplayer  @LoudNoises Yeah.. that works real well.. especially when you have a gun pressed against your temple with the lovely words :"One move and your brains get turned into jelly"....Everyone is full of bravado until the moment of truth...
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 @Koawoodplayer  @LoudNoises Git R Dun :) We can rid the world of idiots one screwup at a time.
It's cheaper to keep this type of sex offender behind bars than to let him hurt someone again. The cost of rape cannot be measured. How much would you pay to have your sanity back? How much would you pay to have a person's innocence or soul back? No amount of money could cover it. "Possibility to reoffend" rings true each and every time. No more chances. No more. Keep him locked up and others who are like him.
 @Koawoodplayer My opinion is, if we cannot afford to keep them in prison, then put them down. They should never be unleased on the public.
 @super ToucheÂ
Revolving door prisons really do exist...and all this time I thought that was just a figure of speech in a Simpsons episode...Â
I want to know what lawmakers thought it would be a good idea to pass a law stating that upon release from prison the Dept of Corrections job is done. You have got to be kidding me! They should pass a law that any violent offender should be probation/parole for a minimum amount of time upon release and that Level III sex offenders should be under DOC supervision for the rest of their lives. I know it all boils down to cost but its their JOB to protect the public. I am so sick of hearing the "there's no funding" or the "budget cuts" excuse because that's all it is, an excuse.Â
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The DOC is supposed to protect us. Now start doing it instead of doing a half ass job! Â
@Tattooed_Angel The DOC is not here to protect us. The DOC is there to enforce the penalty handed down by a jury or judge. The police are not required to protect an individual but the public as a whole. Our elected officials are there to create laws to try to prevent crime but the reality is their work only allows punishment to those that don't abide by laws. Sad to say but there is no one out there to protect you. That is a self responsibilty. The legislature will make a law, The police will arrest when the law has been broken, the DA will prosecute and the DOC will execute the sentence. You have to have a self reliance for protecting yourself.
It's not DOC's fault. They're following the law created by our LEGISLATORS!!!
Well there goes another multi-million dollar settlement from the taxpayer's pocket to the latest victim. I'm not saying that she doesn't deserve it, however. Just that Washington has a history of not spending money under the guise of "we can't afford to" on properly supervising those offenders who are extremely violent! Then they get out and commit another horrific crime and juries do pay out large settlements. These large settlements would easily pay for the supervision and confinement of these offenders, wouldn't you think?
 @MHunt I think that is why supervision was ended. Supervision implies the state is somewhat responsible yet the supervision program could not really provide any sort of actuall supervision.  Since he was not under any such program, the state bears no responsibility.Â
 @MHunt Exactly. Remember all the cops being killed last year by repeat offenders who had been let out early! Think of the millions Washington paid in Settlements.
I'm glad that no physical harm came to that family, BUT that doesn't mean that it'll stay that way. The psychological torture that they are enduring has got to stop. C'mon, he wants a hitman to go after them. Isn't that reason enough to keep him locked up. Last time I checked, I believe they called it "Public Safety" or something like that.
Isn't this why we have McNeil Island? Perhaps we need a justice system that will learn to value human life and understand that rape victims are given a life sentence, so why shouldn't the offender? Better yet, introduce the death penalty, guaranteed the offender won't reoffend then!!!
@takncarabizniz McNeil Island is no longer used by Dept of Corrections. It closed its doors in April 2011.
It's still used for SCC - folks committed under the violent predator law 71.09
Why on earth was this dirtbag not charged for attempting to solicit a hit man?
Hey, the system fails everyday! I'm not the least bit surprised!
Are you kidding me? If someone is considered HIGHLY likely to violently reoffend, why on EARTH would they let them out on the streets, let alone without supervision?! That is just infuriating, both for his first victim and especially for this new victim who could have and should have been protected from this extremely dangerous person. This is very scary and disappointing.
 @dancingnights999 The DOC has their hands tied by the lawmakers in Olympia. Until there is a change in the RCW, this is how it is going to be.
violent sex offenders should receive the death penalty. Â They serve no purpose.Â
It's simple job security folks. Think about all of the lawyers, and judges that would be out of work if filthbags like this were put away for good the 1st time they harmed a child. But with our catch and release system, the courts are guaranteed repeat customers. Heck add in all the counseling, medical care, and therapy and watch the dollars fly all over the place. Then as a bonus if theyre lucky a few of these kids are so damaged they themselves grow up to be monsters, creating a whole new generation of jobs and opportunity. Thats why its called the "criminal" justice system, and not the "victim" justice system. And here in the NW our "leaders" really take that to heart.
This is what happens when we treat criminals like victims and give them more rights then the real victims. A level 3 sex offender is the highest level and most likely to re-offend.. doesn't that constitute longer surveillance? Seriously when will we start treating these scum bags they way they deserve and stop pampering them! The way this state handles these cases is disgusting!!!
No, we don't need more money, there was enough spent on the prosecution. He should have been eliminated prior to his release. It is fairly simple when you think about it.
I do not understand how this could have come about.
I do understand that once you have served the sentence imposed by the court, you are free to hopefully resume a productive life. Whatever the court sentences you to is considered payment in full for your transgressions. In this case he wrote that note after the fact. He indicated, by his own hand, that he intended to continue aggressive actions including murder. I really feel that puts him in a whole different category and should have prompted re-evaluation of his sentence. His actions should have set him up for a lifetime confinement.  I will never forget Charles Rodland Campbell from Clearview.Â
This needs to change! Sex offenders don't stop offending!!! They only get worse!
 @lovinTruth I'm sorry, but you are wrong, and the facts prove it.
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Just google the Washington State Institute for Public Policy, the recidivism rate is extremely low, and is less than 2%. Now, even two percent is too high, I agree. But the media doesn't report this, and they don't report on the thousands of sex offenders who are successful, and have not reoffended.
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I'm not for advocating for sex offenders, I've employed many of them in the past. They need to do their "time" in prison, and after that if they are afforded another chance, they need to make the best of it.
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I also agree that the law needs to be changed, not to arbitrarily extend the supervision time, but to afford DOC more tools to monitor guys like this.
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The majority are not like this guy. They want to be left alone, and given a chance to succeed with housing, job, and social opportunities.
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 @commonHuskyfan What a sock of LIES. I can even guess which poster you are because you were peddling those lies before. And, you'll note this is a LEVEL 3 offender which means he's likely to offend if he gets a chance. The reoffence rate is more like 25% btw. I've posted the studies on this site in the last week, to correct your lies.
First, I don't care if you think you "know" which poster I am. I've never hid my viewpoints for anyone.
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Secondly, the facts are the facts. This report should help you.  http://www.wsipp.wa.gov/rptfiles/06-03-1201.pdf
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If I am interpreting it wrongly, then by all means correct me with your wisdom.
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If you have a more recent report, then post the link and we can talk about it. If you have but only rhetoric, then you'll get no further response from me.
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I'm willing to be proven wrong, as all I want is for the truth to be known. I gain nothing from this personally.
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Olympia legislators better get off their a_ses and stop playing games when it comes to violent criminals. Everyday America looks more and more like it's neighbors to the south.
Rapists should be put down like the sick animals they are. Problem solved. Apparently this solution would be too cost effective for Olympia to understand.Â