Rapper Tay-K, best known for his viral 2017 hit “The Race,” has been convicted of murder for the second time. The 24-year-old artist, whose real name is Taymor McIntyre, was already serving a 55-year sentence for his role in the 2016 home invasion murder of Ethan Walker. Now, a Texas jury has found him guilty in the 2017 killing of photographer Mark Anthony Saldivar, which occurred while Tay-K was on the run from police for the first crime.
The second conviction stems from an April 2017 incident in San Antonio. Prosecutors said Tay-K and a group of accomplices lured Saldivar under the pretense of a photoshoot. During the drive, the group robbed Saldivar at gunpoint for his equipment before fatally shooting him and leaving his body near a Chick-Fil-A. Tay-K was 17 at the time, having cut off his ankle monitor and fled house arrest just before a court appearance.
The jury did not find Tay-K guilty of capital murder, which would carry an automatic life sentence, but he now faces 5 to 99 years for the new conviction. Defense attorney John Hunter argued the case lacked solid evidence, relying heavily on conflicting witness accounts. “You have to do the work. And this case clearly demonstrates the work wasn’t done,” he said, per KSAT.
At the time of Saldivar’s death, Tay-K released “The Race,” which was recorded and posted just hours before his arrest in New Jersey. The song, which referenced his run from law enforcement, has over 250 million YouTube views.
Tay-K previously received additional prison time and fines for three aggravated robbery charges. He must serve at least half of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
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