Amanda Taylor charged with first-degree murder in death of father-in-law

MONTGOMERY CO. (WSLS 10) - One of the suspects in a Montgomery County homicide is now facing a stiffer charge. 

Amanda Taylor is now charged with first-degree murder in the death of her father-in-law, Charles Taylor on April 4, 2015, according to the Montgomery County Commonwealth's Attorney Mary Pettitt. 

Taylor and a man described as her acquaintance, Sean Ball, are accused of killing Charles. 

Officials says Taylor appeared in Montgomery County General District Court Monday morning where she was arraigned on the first-degree murder charge, the original warrant charging her with second-degree murder for the same death was nolle prosequi, and evaluations of her competency to stand trial and sanity at the time of the offense were ordered.

First-degree murder carries a sentence of 20 years to life in prison. Court officials say the difference between murder in the first-degree and murder in the second-degree depends upon whether or not the killing was premeditated.

Taylor remains incarcerated in jail. June 19, 2015 has been set as a review date to see if the psychiatric evaluations have been completed and to schedule her preliminary hearing.

The second suspect involved, Sean Ball, was arrested at a North Carolina hospital, and was said to have suffered life-threatening injuries, the details of which have not been released. Investigators did say a 911 call just after 7:00 p.m. Sunday alerted rescue crews to an injured, unresponsive man at milepost 386 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

That man was Sean Ball. 

Investigators said they believed Taylor caused Ball's injuries, however, the federal charges did not mention a victim by name.