Court hears that accused murderer Richard Taylor was $100K in debt

Richard Taylor’s mother Carla, and his stepfather Alan Rutherford were killed as a result of a house fire in July of 2018.

The Crown is trying to prove that Richard Taylor killed his parents to inherit his mother’s money.

In 2018, a forensic accountant examined the bank accounts of Richard Taylor and his then-wife Evangelia Taylor. The couple is now separated.

The forensic accountant testified today that not including the mortgage on his Oakville home, back in July of 2018, Taylor was over $100,000 in debt.

Investigators deemed it arson and became suspicious of Taylor after witnesses told police that Alan Rutherford’s dying words pointed the finger at his stepson, “Rich.”

The court also heard today that in 2017, Taylor was loaned $13,000 from his friend Jeremy Paikin, who thought Taylor was using the funds to get his woodworking business off the ground. Taylor only spent $3,000 on wood and building materials.

During an 18-month period, his accounts had insufficient funds several times and bounced $23,000 worth of payments.

His former wife, Evangelia testified yesterday Richard handled their finances when they were together before the fire and she was unaware of their debt.

The trial continues Thursday.