ST. CROIX — Cleo Taylor, the 39-year-old woman arrested in December for allegedly assaulting a woman who was jogging in Estate La Grange, has been found competent to stand trial and pleaded not guilty during her arraignment in Superior Court, according to court documents.
Magistrate Judge Christopher Timmons had previously granted a request from Assistant Territorial Public Defender Leslie Davis for a formal competency hearing after Davis raised concerns about contradictions in completed competency evaluation reports during proceedings on March 11. He scheduled a competency hearing for April 1.
On April 1, two medical experts — Dr. Robin Brannigan, a psychiatrist, and psychologist Rita Dudley-Grant — testified regarding their findings on Taylor’s competency. After finding Taylor competent to stand trial, Timmons immediately proceeded with advising her of her rights and arraigning her. Taylor participated virtually.
Taylor is charged with attempted murder, first-degree assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a deadly weapon, simple assault, and disturbance of the peace.
The charges stem from an alleged unprovoked attack on a woman during an early morning jog on November 28, 2025, in the La Grange area, in which the victim was struck multiple times with a bottle, suffering broken bones and deep lacerations.
READ MORE: Victim attacked by driver of white Benz shares painful account, calls for action to protect others
Taylor is also accused of being connected to a hit-and-run incident in which a pedestrian was struck in the parking lot of Pueblo in Estate La Reine, as well as additional reported incidents involving a white Mercedes seen hitting or attempting to hit pedestrians at various locations across St. Croix.
Taylor was taken into custody at her residence in December following a two-week search, after police obtained an arrest warrant from the Superior Court. She remains in custody. The white Mercedes Benz she allegedly used in at least one of the incidents had been impounded two weeks earlier.
READ MORE: VIPD impounds white Benz suspected in hit-and-run incidents, Cleo A. Taylor named person of interest
Her mother, Shirlene Taylor, spoke with WTJX at the time of the arrest, saying her daughter had been a mental health patient under the care of the Virgin Islands Department of Health for an extended period.
READ MORE: Cleo Taylor arrested and charged with attempted murder; mother speaks about daughter’s mental health
Shirlene Taylor called on the government to address the lack of long-term mental health care facilities in the territory, stating that she believes her daughter would not have been accused of assault had she received proper care.
The case has been assigned to Judge Ernest Morris. A speedy jury trial has been demanded. Assistant Attorney General Chad Mitchell is representing the government. The next hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on July 22.
