Texas rapper Taymor McIntyre, better known by his stage name Tay-K, has been convicted of murder for the second time, marking a dramatic downfall for the young artist who once went viral with his breakout 2017 hit “The Race.”
A San Antonio jury found Tay-K guilty of fatally shooting 23-year-old photographer Mark Anthony Saldivar in 2017. According to prosecutors, the rapper attempted to rob Saldivar during what was initially arranged as a photography session. The jury rejected the capital murder charge—which would have meant life without parole—but convicted him of murder, meaning he could still face life in prison, though parole remains a possibility.
The Crime That Shook the Texas Music Scene
Authorities say McIntyre picked up Saldivar to take photos for a new music project, but things took a fatal turn. Prosecutors claimed Tay-K tried to rob him during the car ride and ultimately shot him.
The defense argued that the investigation was deeply flawed and relied too heavily on statements from others in the car, whom they called “self-serving witnesses.” Tay-K’s attorney, John Hunter, told the jury:
“Taymor McIntyre is not guilty of capital murder, murder, or manslaughter... the work wasn’t done right.”
The jury wasn’t convinced and delivered a murder conviction. The sentencing phase of the trial is now underway.
Already Behind Bars
This is not Tay-K’s first conviction. In 2019, he was sentenced to 55 years in prison for the 2016 shooting of 21-year-old Ethan Walker during a home invasion in Mansfield, Texas.
What makes Tay-K’s story infamous is that he recorded his hit song “The Race” while on the run from authorities for that very murder charge. The track blew up on social media and YouTube, creating a viral legacy—and eventually, a legal storm.
From Rap Fame to Life Sentences
Once seen as a rising star in hip-hop, Tay-K’s rapid rise and fall continues to serve as a tragic tale of wasted potential. Despite the fame “The Race” brought him, it was deeply intertwined with real-life violence, and the legal consequences are now fully catching up.
With this second conviction, Tay-K’s chances of redemption in the public eye—and in music—are growing slimmer.
0 Comments