Jury seated in trial of Columbus woman Pammy Maye

Jury Selection Concludes in Trial of Pammy Maye

A jury has been seated to hear the case of Pammy Maye, the 51-year-old Columbus woman charged in connection with the February 2024 death of 5-year-old Darnell Taylor. According to reporting from ABC 6, the legal proceedings move forward after a selection process involving a pool of 75 prospective jurors, from which 15 were chosen to hear the evidence. Three of those individuals will serve as alternates once the trial reaches the deliberation phase.

Maye faces charges including aggravated murder and abuse of a corpse. Investigators allege that after the boy’s death by strangulation, his body was placed in a southwest Columbus storm sewer. The location of the child was provided to police after officers encountered Maye wandering outside in a nightgown near Cleveland.

Judge Warns Defendant About Courtroom Disruptions

The lead-up to this week’s selection was marked by concerns regarding courtroom decorum. During a hearing in July, Maye was removed from the chamber after repeatedly calling out, “God is good.” Before the jury selection began on Thursday, Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Mark Serrott issued a direct warning to the defendant regarding her behavior.

Jury seated in trial of Columbus foster mother accused in 5-year-old’s death

“We cannot have an outburst, we cannot have disruption, you had a disruption the last time you were in court, we cannot have that, if you do that you will be removed from the court,” Judge Serrott stated.

When asked by the judge if she would cooperate with the court and her defense attorney, Mr. Shamansky, Maye responded, “Yes sir.”

Defendant Rejects Plea Deal Before Trial Starts

Last year, the court found Maye not competent to stand trial and ordered her to a psychiatric facility for treatment. Seven months ago, the court determined she was sufficiently recovered to assist in her own defense, clearing the way for the current proceedings.

Jury seated in trial of Columbus foster mother accused in 5-year-old’s death

Maye declined a plea deal that would have required her to plead guilty to aggravated murder and abuse of a corpse in exchange for a sentence of 20 years to life. Under that proposal, the prosecution would have dropped three counts of tampering with evidence.

Opening statements are scheduled to begin on Monday, November 9, with the trial expected to conclude by the middle of next week.