Trial for accused child molester Harry Brett Taylor faces another setback

Parents of the alleged victims of an accused child molester said a judge's ruling Thursday is another setback.

Harry Brett Taylor is a former Boy Scout leader charged with molesting 12 children four years ago, but no trial date has been set.

Taylor entered the courtroom Thursday in the jail jumpsuit he's wo the past four years. He asked a judge to reconsider suppressing key evidence against him.

"If the court fails or refuses to grant a hearing, then it will be placing its stamp of approval on the credibility finding and application of the law," defense attoey Walt Britt told the judge.

Judge Debra Tuer

The case is four years old but Judge Debra Tuer is a newcomer. The original judge on the case was disqualified over an appearance of impropriety. One of the judge's current staff attoeys was a county prosecutor when the Taylor case began.

"There is no way to argue the order that Judge (Karen) Beyers order has somehow been tainted," said District Attoey Danny Porter in court. "She granted the recusal based on the possible appearance of impropriety, but made a specific finding that there was no actual bias."

But Britt said since that judge is gone, her evidence rulings should go to.

"A huge portion of this case hinges upon these images seized," Britt said.

Britt believes some of the images were not properly seized during searches. Investigators collected much of the evidence inside Taylor's Lawrenceville home on Bergen Court.

The evidence led to a 32-count indictment that included aggravated child molestation, criminal attempt to commit child molestation, child molestation, sexual exploitation, aggravated sexual battery and sexual battery.

Tuer said she was in an "awkward position", but ultimately decided to take another look at the evidence in question.

Families in the courtroom told Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh they were frustrated and see this as another setback.

The district attoey said he can and likely will appeal the ruling.

Meanwhile, the evidence hearing is expected to take a couple of days. The trial could take a couple of weeks.

Tuer waed calendar time for 2012 is filling up fast.