A Lawrence man who was scheduled to stand trial next week for a September shooting that sent a 16-year-old boy to the hospital has pleaded no contest and is currently under supervised probation.

On Sept. 18, Anthony Jermaine Taylor, 19, hit the victim in the side of the head with a handgun and shot him as he ran away, according to an arrest affidavit filed in Douglas County District Court. The victim’s name was not released because of his age.

The victim was shot once in the left leg but was still able to escape. He was treated at Lawrence Memorial Hospital and released the same day.

At the time of the incident the victim had been standing in his home parking lot in the 2100 block of Carolina Street with two friends, the affidavit says. Taylor wore a mask when he approached the three on foot.

The victim later identified Taylor, the affidavit says. The nature of their relationship, however, was not made public.

Anthony Jermaine Taylor

Taylor was arrested Sept. 19 and charged with felony aggravated battery. He pleaded no contest on Dec. 3.

A plea of no contest, as opposed to a guilty plea, means the defendant does not wish to contest the state’s charges.

After a pre-sentence investigation Taylor and his attorney asked Douglas County Judge Robert Fairchild for a lesser sentence, according to a motion filed in Douglas County District Court. In light of Taylor’s past criminal history and his potential for rehabilitation, the prosecutors supported Taylor’s request.

On Jan. 12 Taylor was sentenced to serve three years in supervised probation followed by another three years of post-supervision with an underlying prison sentence of 45 months in the Department of Corrections.

During his probation Taylor was ordered not to consume drugs or alcohol, and he is subject to random testing, according to a motion filed in Douglas County District Court. He is also ordered not to have contact with the victim and must either further his education or get a job.

Taylor must also register as a violent offender for 15 years, the motion says.

If Taylor violates the terms of his probation, he could be ordered to fulfill his underlying prison sentence of 45 months.