Kandi Ranson
Sanford man, 70, brutally beaten in home robbery
70-year-old Seminole County man was beaten so badly he nearly lost an ear and his life.
Police said 21-year-old Jeremy Lewis and 27-year-old Lorenzo Ramos are the ones responsible.
Investigators said Donnie Taylor had his teeth knocked out of his mouth and his ear nearly severed from his head during the attack inside his Sanford Avenue home on Thursday.
Investigators said Taylor was beaten so badly that his brain is still swollen more than 24 hours later.
"He is a very small person, like I said, and it's going to be a fight for him to get back together, to get himself back together," said Kaye Warner, victim's sister.
Eyewitness news reporter Karla Ray was in court as the Lewis and Ramos made their first appearance in front of a judge from jail.
Investigators said the two men went to Taylor's home to rob him. According to the arrest reports, one of the suspects saw Taylor with $1,200 two weeks ago and decided to rob him.
According to the report, one of the suspects allegedly said they, "had to knock him out because he could identify them."
"They thought that he was dead," said Warner.
Warner told Eyewitness News she believes the two men accused in the brutal beating were trying to kill him.
"I really am concerned about his welfare and I don't understand why anyone in Sanford would do such a brutal crime," said Warner.
Taylor had no injuries below his neck.
Eyewitness News has learned that the suspects and the victim in this case were acquaintances.
Ramos lives 500 feet away from the victim in what is described in the police report as a known drug house.
"It surprised the heck out of me, it really surprised the heck out of me," said Clyde Palmer, Ramos' roommate. "I don't know why he beat him up."
Eyewitness News also learned that Taylor has a history of drug arrests in Seminole county, but has not been in trouble for eight years.
"I am not saying that Don's an angel, but with the amount of money he has, monthly, it's unlikely he could do a lot of drugs or be involved," said Warner.
Taylor is listed in serious condition, but is expected to pull through. The family does not want to mention the hospital where he's staying because they are afraid for his safety.
SOURCE: With Video
70-year-old Seminole County man was beaten so badly he nearly lost an ear and his life.
Police said 21-year-old Jeremy Lewis and 27-year-old Lorenzo Ramos are the ones responsible.
Investigators said Donnie Taylor had his teeth knocked out of his mouth and his ear nearly severed from his head during the attack inside his Sanford Avenue home on Thursday.
Investigators said Taylor was beaten so badly that his brain is still swollen more than 24 hours later.
"He is a very small person, like I said, and it's going to be a fight for him to get back together, to get himself back together," said Kaye Warner, victim's sister.
Eyewitness news reporter Karla Ray was in court as the Lewis and Ramos made their first appearance in front of a judge from jail.
Investigators said the two men went to Taylor's home to rob him. According to the arrest reports, one of the suspects saw Taylor with $1,200 two weeks ago and decided to rob him.
According to the report, one of the suspects allegedly said they, "had to knock him out because he could identify them."
"They thought that he was dead," said Warner.
Warner told Eyewitness News she believes the two men accused in the brutal beating were trying to kill him.
"I really am concerned about his welfare and I don't understand why anyone in Sanford would do such a brutal crime," said Warner.
Taylor had no injuries below his neck.
Eyewitness News has learned that the suspects and the victim in this case were acquaintances.
Ramos lives 500 feet away from the victim in what is described in the police report as a known drug house.
"It surprised the heck out of me, it really surprised the heck out of me," said Clyde Palmer, Ramos' roommate. "I don't know why he beat him up."
Eyewitness News also learned that Taylor has a history of drug arrests in Seminole county, but has not been in trouble for eight years.
"I am not saying that Don's an angel, but with the amount of money he has, monthly, it's unlikely he could do a lot of drugs or be involved," said Warner.
Taylor is listed in serious condition, but is expected to pull through. The family does not want to mention the hospital where he's staying because they are afraid for his safety.
SOURCE: With Video
