Closing arguments have started in the murder trial of three men accused in a 2022 Bakersfield case involving a suspected drug deal that prosecutors say turned into a robbery and deadly shooting.
The trial centers on the death of Taylor Poulin, a Long Beach man whose body was later discovered buried in Arizona after he was killed at a Bakersfield home on Real Road.
Jurors are now hearing final arguments from prosecutors and defense attorneys before beginning deliberations.
Trial
The defendants on trial are Garret Cole, Juan Carlos Toscano, and Javier Ontiveros. Two other people were also accused of involvement in the case but are not facing trial in this proceeding.
The prosecution alleges that Poulin and his friend Edwin Menendez traveled from Long Beach to Bakersfield in September 2022 to purchase Lean, a substance made with promethazine and codeine.
According to prosecutors, the meeting at a home on Real Road was not a planned transaction but instead became a robbery. They allege that Cole and Toscano pulled out firearms after Poulin and Menendez entered the home.
Prosecutors said Poulin was shot in the head after reaching for his own firearm.
Investigation
After the shooting, investigators said Poulin’s body was transported from California to Arizona.
Prosecutors allege that Cole, Ontiveros, and two other men drove to Arizona with Poulin’s body inside a van, while Toscano remained behind to clean the scene at the Bakersfield residence.
Detectives later used cellphone location data connected to the defendants to identify an area in Arizona where they believed Poulin had been buried.
The burial site was discovered on Oct. 6, 2022, according to prosecutors.
| Case Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Location of shooting | Real Road, Bakersfield |
| Victim | Taylor Poulin |
| Victim’s hometown | Long Beach |
| Burial location found | Arizona |
| Trial defendants | Garret Cole, Juan Carlos Toscano, Javier Ontiveros |
| Evidence mentioned | Cellphone location data |
Arguments
During closing arguments, prosecutors are expected to focus on their claim that the defendants planned and carried out a robbery that resulted in Poulin’s death.
The prosecution has argued that evidence, including phone records and the discovery of Poulin’s remains, supports their version of events.
The defense has presented a different account of what happened. Attorneys for the defendants argued that Poulin pulled out a gun first and attempted to rob the people inside the home.
The defense claims Poulin was shot during a struggle rather than as part of a planned robbery.
Evidence
Jurors have been reviewing evidence since opening statements began on June 11.
Throughout the trial, attorneys presented testimony and other evidence as they attempted to establish what happened before, during, and after the shooting.
Cellphone records played an important role in the prosecution’s case, with investigators using location information to track movements connected to the defendants after the shooting.
The jury must now consider the competing versions of events and determine whether prosecutors have proven the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Verdict
Following closing arguments, the case will be handed to the jury for deliberation.
The jury will review the evidence presented during the trial and decide whether the prosecution’s allegations have been established.
The outcome will depend on how jurors evaluate witness testimony, physical evidence, and the arguments made by both sides.
The murder trial of Garret Cole, Juan Carlos Toscano, and Javier Ontiveros is now entering its final stage as attorneys present their closing arguments. The jury will soon decide whether prosecutors proved their case or whether the defense’s explanation creates enough doubt.
FAQs
Who is on trial?
Garret Cole, Juan Carlos Toscano, and Javier Ontiveros.
Who was the victim?
Taylor Poulin, a man from Long Beach, was killed.
Where was the body found?
Poulin’s body was found buried in Arizona.
When did the shooting happen?
The shooting occurred in September 2022.
What happens after arguments?
The jury will begin deliberations after closing arguments.
