Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin announced today that a Bloomingdale man accused of killing his nephew in 2020 has been sentenced to fifty years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Dominick Taylor, 54, formerly of 223 Freeport Drive, appeared in court this morning where Judge Brian Telander handed down the sentence.

In 2020, Taylor was living with his wife and forty-three-year-old physically and mentally handicapped nephew, Damian B. Scott. Taylor was Scott’s primary caregiver. On April 26, 2020, Taylor’s wife discovered Damian’s lifeless body in his bedroom of the home they all shared. She immediately called the Bloomingdale Police Department who initiated an investigation.

It is alleged that in the early morning hours that day, Taylor strangled Damian to death in his bedroom. It is further alleged that after killing Damian, who was blind and unable to walk, Taylor withdrew cash from his wife’s bank account without permission, turned off his cell phone and purchased a one-way Amtrak train ticket from Chicago to East Lansing, Michigan without notifying his wife or family.

Damian was brought to Glen Oaks Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at approximately 3:17 p.m. Following a postmortem examination performed by the DuPage County Coroner’s Office, a deep tissue hemorrhage around the victim’s hyoid bone was identified, which is consistent with manual strangulation. The exam also identified a healed fracture around the thyroid cartilage determined to be evidence of prior strangulation.

On April 28, 2020, Taylor was taken into custody on a local warrant in Michigan. He refused extradition from Michigan and a Governor's Warrant was approved. Taylor was brought to DuPage County and appeared in Bond Court on June 13, 2020 where Judge Robert Miller set bond at $2 million with 10% to apply in accordance with a previously issued arrest warrant. He has remained in custody at the DuPage County Jail since that time.

On February 27, 2024, Taylor entered a plea of guilty to one count of First Degree Murder.

“Domestic violence comes in many forms,” Berlin said. “What I find particularly disturbing in this case however is the fact that as Damian’s caretaker Mr. Taylor was responsible for the safety and wellbeing of Damian. His mission was to protect Damian’s life not take it as alleged in this case.”

Berlin extended gratitude towards DuPage County Coroner Dr. Richard Jorgensen and his office for their efforts on this case along with Assistant State's Attorneys Lee Roupas, Adam Frahm and Jaclyn McAndrew for preparing a strong case against Mr.Taylor.

DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen acknowledged Deputy Coroner Michael Hutchens' work during the investigation into Damian Scott's death.

“In the course of a postmortem examination Chief Forensic Pathologist Hilary McElligott M.D used her extensive training and experience to identify signs of strangulation and alerted officials her finding this case homicide,” Jorgensen said.“Her work instrumental subsequent arrest Dominick Taylor."

Taylor will be required to serve 100% of his sentence.

###