Second ‘Gilbert Goon’ suspect in Preston Lord’s murder is freed from jail after parents post expensive bond
A second baby-faced suspect in the brutal murder of 16-year-old Preston Lord has been released on bail.
Taylor Sherman, one of seven young men accused of beating Lord to death outside a party in Queen Creek, Arizona, last October, posted bail on Wednesday after a judge lowered it from $1 million to $250,000.
The 19-year-old’s attorney argued that the original bail amount was too high because his family is not wealthy and he is not a flight risk.
Defense attorney Joseph Tobler also denied that Sherman is part of the notorious Gilbert Goons street gang, which has terrorized the Phoenix suburbs for years.
“Mr. Sherman was present but not involved in the victim’s death,” Tobler said.
“His absence from the group suggests that the likelihood of future criminal behavior is less.”
Taylor Sherman, one of seven young men accused of beating Lord to death outside a party in Queen Creek last October, posted bail Wednesday
Attorney Joseph Tobler denied that Sherman is part of the notorious street gang, the Gilbert Goons, that has terrorized the Phoenix suburbs for years. Sherman is seen leaving jail
Sherman is the second suspect to be released after Talyn Vigil (17) posted $1 million bail in April.
Talan Renner, 17, Dominic Turner, 20, Jacob Meisner, 17, William Hines, 18, and Treston Billey, 18, are the other youths charged in the murder.
Preston died after he was brutally beaten outside a Halloween party and left on a road in Queen Creek last October.
It took five months before the suspects were arrested.
The suspects were arrested after a five-month investigation, during which prosecutors say some of their wealthy relatives tried to cover up their involvement in the murder.
Preston died after he was brutally beaten outside a Halloween party last October and left on a road in Queen Creek
“Sherman was present but not involved in the victim’s death,” Tobler said. Image is from March
The police report on the investigation shows how the suspects discussed how to cover their tracks, with accused killer Taylor Sherman, 19, discussing the cash reward in a conversation with an anonymous person
The suspects threatened witnesses and destroyed evidence, but also turned on each other in hopes of a $10,000 reward for information about the killing, police documents show.
The police report on the investigation shows that the suspects discussed how to cover their tracks. For example, the murder suspect, Sherman, discussed the cash reward with an anonymous person.
The anonymous person texted Sherman, “Tell me you didn’t delete the video of the dead kid. It’s 10k if you give it to the police.”
Sherman replied, “Huh, then I’ll be a victim, you stupid bastard.”
Police noted in the police report that Sherman likely meant “suspect” rather than “victim.”
Another text message between Sherman and an unknown person read: “Talan killed someone with his hands – referring to accused murderer Talan Renner, 17.
Just days after the murder, a screenshot of a Snapchat chat that appeared to have been written by Vigil circulated.
After the post caught the attention of the community, Talyn made a public post on his Snapchat account.
The seven suspects in the murder of Preston Lord from top left to bottom right: Jacob Meisner, Talan Renner, Taylor Sherman, Treston Billey, Talyn Vigil, Dominic Turner, William Owe Hines
‘Yo I understand everyone is hurting right now and wants to find the kids who did this but you got the wrong talyn… the kid’s real name is talan renner. Please stop blaming me I was there trying to help the kid off the streets thank you,’ it read.
At least one other alleged assailant, Talan Renner, also admitted to — and even bragged about — beating Preston in the days following the party, writing on Snapchat: “I got into a fight, a big group fight and I accidentally killed a kid. I guess I’m just too strong.”
The “Gilbert Goons” were allowed to rampage through the Phoenix suburbs before Preston was murdered. After they were charged, authorities reopened several cases they suspected were carried out by a larger group of assailants.
Victims and area residents described the group as primarily white, upper-middle-class teenagers from various East Valley high schools.
Several lawsuits have been filed alleging that law enforcement and school officials have allowed the Goons to continue their violence since at least 2022.
Preston’s father Nick Lord is seen with the teen’s stepmother, Melissa Ciconte