Associate pastor accused of stealing Blair Murphy signs has charges dropped with stipulations
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
An associate pastor at Broadway Christian Church who was accused of stealing campaign signs during the mayoral election has had his charges dropped.
The Rev. Andrew Lawrence Taylor-Peck, 46, of Columbia, was originally charged with misdemeanor stealing. Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson told ABC 17 News in an email that the case was resolved through a deferred prosecution agreement.
Johnson wrote Taylor-Peck waives statute of limitation defenses and must comply with specific conditions for three years. If Taylor-Peck fails to comply with the conditions, the prosecution picks up again, Johnson wrote.
ABC 17 News reached out to Taylor-Peck’s attorney to learn the conditions he must comply with, but were told the attorney needs to speak with his client first before sharing any details.
Johnson wrote that the victim in the case did not want the charges to move forward and that Taylor-Peck allegedly apologized to the victim.
“Between the public nature of the case and the personal amends made, he felt the defendant had been held accountable. Our office is ultimately responsible for deciding how to resolve cases, and sometimes we proceed even where the victim asks for charges to be dismissed,” Johnson wrote. “But based on the defendant’s lack of criminal history, taking responsibility for his actions, and making meaningful amends to the satisfaction of the victim, we believe this was the most appropriate and just resolution.”
Taylor-Peck at the time was suspended by the church after he was charged.
Court documents in previous reporting say that deputies were called around 5:30 p.m. April 4 to Coastal Electric in the 3600 block of Scott Boulevard for a reported theft. Someone at the location told law enforcement that they saw a man take off with a “Vote For Murph” campaign sign, the statement says.
Taylor-Peck was arrested and allegedly admitted to taking five signs between Gillespie Bridge Road and Vawter School Road, court documents in previous reporting say. He then allegedly admitted to dumping the signs in two trash cans on Mesa Drive, court documents say.
ABC 17 News has reached out to Broadway Christian Church.