Rapper Tay-K, whose real name is Taymor Travon McIntyre, has made headlines again with the outcome of his high-profile legal battle. The 24-year-old artist was found not guilty of capital murder but convicted of murder in a 2016 Mansfield, Texas, home invasion that left 21-year-old Ethan Walker dead. Despite dodging the harshest charge, Tay-K’s future remains uncertain as he serves a 55-year prison sentence, casting a long shadow over his once-promising music career.
The case stems from a July 26, 2016, incident in Mansfield, where Tay-K and six others allegedly planned a robbery targeting drugs and money. During the chaotic invasion, Ethan Walker was fatally shot, and another person was injured.
Prosecutors argued Tay-K knew a shooting would happen, but his defense insisted he was unarmed and unaware of any intent to kill. The trial gripped public attention, partly because of Tay-K’s viral fame and the controversial use of his rap lyrics as evidence. His song “The Race” was played in court, with lyrics and a music video showing him with a gun next to his wanted poster, sparking debates about whether artistic expression should be used against him.
Tay-K’s legal woes did not end there. He was put on home arrest after his initial arrest but escaped in March 2017 by removing his ankle monitor. He was tracked by a nationwide manhunt, in which he released “The Race,” a song that peaked at No. 44 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and went platinum. Law officers in New Jersey apprehended him in June 2017, the same day his song’s music video was released. During his flight, he’s also charged with a second murder in San Antonio on April 23, 2017, of 23-year-old Mark Anthony Saldivar, whom he robbed and killed. That trial is pending, with a date slated for trial on February 10, 2025, and could result in additional time behind bars if convicted.
In July 2019, a Tarrant County jury acquitted Tay-K of capital murder, which could have resulted in 40 years in prison without parole. They convicted him instead of murder, along with one count of aggravated robbery, and he pleaded guilty to two additional charges of robbery that stemmed from the same crime. He was sentenced a few days later to 55 years in prison, 30 for one count of robbery and 13 for each of the others, running concurrently. He also received a fine of $21,000. For Tay-K, who was 16 at the time of his crime, this means that he could spend most of his life in prison.
The verdict has crushed Tay-K’s music career, which skyrocketed with “The Race” and his mixtape Santana World. Fans once rallied around him with hashtags like #FreeTayK, and artists like 21 Savage and Lil Yachty remixed his hit. But the conviction shifted the narrative. Ethan Walker’s family spoke out, saying Tay-K’s music and fan support felt like a slap in the face, tainting his public image. With decades in prison ahead, creating new music or performing seems nearly impossible, though some artists have managed to release work from behind bars.
Beyond Mansfield, Tay-K’s legal woes pile up. The San Antonio murder charge looms large, potentially carrying a life sentence without parole if he’s found guilty. He’s also faced charges for assaulting a 65-year-old man in Arlington and even for having a cell phone in jail, where he allegedly tried to start a gang. These issues paint a troubled picture for the young rapper, whose talent once promised a bright future.
Tay-K’s story raises more significant questions about art, crime, and punishment. Using his lyrics in court has fueled discussions on whether rap music should be protected as free speech or seen as evidence of intent. As his San Antonio trial nears, the world watches to see if more prison time awaits or if he’ll find a way to reclaim his voice, even behind bars.
