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Posted: August 11, 2008

Murder trial starts in tow-truck driver's shooting

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Rocky Mount, N.C. — The murder trial of a man charged with killing a Rocky Mount tow-truck driver on New Year's Day 2007 began Monday.

William Corbett, 25, was shot when he tried to tow a car parked outside a business across from a nightclub on North Church Street, police said. Witnesses said a large group of people left the club at about the same time Corbett was hooking the illegally parked car to his wrecker, and they surrounded him.

One man in the crowd pulled a gun, shot Corbett in the chest and fled, police said.

James Taylor Jr., 24, of 717 Starling Way in Rocky Mount, later surrendered to police and was charged in Corbett's shooting.

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Latest Comments

pebbles, I agree but please do not post in all CAPS

iron fist
August 11, 2008 1:32 p.m.

THE TOW DRIVER IS NOT THERE FOR THE FUN OF IT.. THEY WOULD ALOT RATHER BE AT HOME WITH THEIR FAMILY THAN OUT PICKING UP CARS OF PEOPLE WHO DO NOT READ THE PARKING SIGNS BEFORE PARKING . THE BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE ASK THE DRIVERS TO KEEP THEIR PARKING SPACES FREE FOR THERE CUSTOMER'S TO USE....PICKING UP THE CARS IS WHAT THEY ARE PAID TO DO.

pebbles262004
August 11, 2008 1:08 p.m.

From what I understand about this incident, the tow truck driver was asked to come pick up a vehicle that was parked in a tow away zone. In this case the owner of the vehicle is at fault. They knew it was parked there but neglected to care enough to seek another place to park. As for the tow truck driver, he WAS just doing his job. Making little money to make ends meet. They live lonely lives and spend long hours away from their families. I feel for his family and his loss. I hope the guy who is responsible for his death one day realizes how much this tow truck driver mean't to someone. He will have to live with this on his hands the rest of his life. And NO it wasn't worth it.

grenlyn1
August 11, 2008 12:43 p.m.

THANKS REV.RB MY HUSBAND AND SON BOTH ARE IN THE TOWING BUSINESS AND THEY DO NOT PICK UP A CAR THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ASK TO GET..IF THEY GO TO REPO A CAR THEY ALSO HAVE THE PAPER WORK FROM THE BANK TO GET THE CAR....PEOPLE GET ALL MAD WHEN THEY KNOW IT'S THERE OWN FAULT. IF YOU DON'T MAKE THE PAYMENT THE BANK IS GOING TO GET THEIR CAR...THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER IS ONLY DOING HIS JOB...WHY SHOOT HIM WHEN THE BANKER IS THE ONE WHO SENT HIM TO GET THE CAR BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T PAY YOUR PAYMENT IN 2 OR 3 MONTHS DEPENDING ON THE BANK..........

pebbles262004
August 11, 2008 12:29 p.m.

Not right!

These tow truck drivers are just doing their job; if you don't like what they're doing, take it up with the folks that hired 'em.

Praying for his loved ones.

God bless.

Rev. RB