HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that a man serving death sentences for the 1991 murders of three children and two adults will not be granted relief, according to a recent ruling from a federal appeals court.
The U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously affirmed a lower district court ruling refusing to reopen Paul Gamboa-Taylor’s case. The Office of Attorney General argued that Gamboa-Taylor was competent and fully aware of what he was doing when he committed the crimes, then pleaded guilty to five counts of first-degree murder.
Gamboa-Taylor used a hammer and knife to kill three children, as well as his wife and mother-in-law nearly 30 years ago.
Gamboa-Taylor, now 65, was sentenced to one life-in-prison term and four death sentences.
“These were truly wicked acts committed by a defendant who continues to attempt to avoid responsibility for savagely murdering his family, including three defenseless young children,” Attorney General Sunday said. “Although he has tried time and time again, the appellate process has borne out that this conviction was wholly just, and he is exactly where he should be — in prison.”
In the most recent motion for relief, defense counsel challenged a previous federal habeas judgment, alleging “new” evidence was “found” that questioned Gamboa-Taylor’s mental health at the time of the killings.
The Office of Attorney General rebuked those claims, in briefs and oral argument, citing the motion as an attempt to end-around federal rules restricting the presentation of evidence not previously presented in the state courts. The federal court recently found the defense motion to be meritless.
Deputy Attorney General William Stoycos led the Office of Attorney General efforts in the recent motion.
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