20-year-old woman sentenced to 50 years in prison for fatally beating and stabbing Montgomery teenager

A young Montgomery woman has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for her role in the brutal murder of a 17-year-old girl in 2020.

Erin Taylor, now 20, was 16 when she was first arrested on capital charges in connection with the murder of Lesley Luna Pantaleon.

Taylor is one of four teenagers charged in Pantaleon's death.

Pantaleon was reported missing on June 24, 2020, and state authorities asked for the public's help in finding her.

Her decomposed body was found in Catoma Creek on July 4, 2020.

Montgomery police and firefighters responded to the lake on Old Selma Road after receiving a report of a possible body in the water. The teen's body was taken to the Alabama Department of Forensic Science for an autopsy and was later confirmed to be Pantaleon.

According to court documents, she was beaten with a metal pipe and stabbed with a knife. Her blue 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer was stolen, as was her cellphone.

Taylor, Ta'Niya Merriweather and Tyeshia Whisenant were initially arrested on capital charges. All three girls were 16 years old at the time.

Police later arrested Keontae Davidson and charged him with the capital crime. He is now 20 years old.

Taylor pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of murder on April 1.

Davidson pleaded guilty on June 25 and is scheduled to be sentenced on September 12.

Whisenant pleaded guilty on June 10. A sentencing date has not yet been announced.

The trial against Merriweather has not yet begun.

“The senseless brutality of the defendants in this case deserves the strongest condemnation and the harshest punishment,” said Montgomery County District Attorney Daryl Bailey. “I am proud that my office was able to obtain justice for this innocent young girl and her family.”

“Judge Reid sent a strong message with her ruling today, and I hope the violent criminals in our community understand it: Montgomery County is not the place to commit violent crimes,” he said. “If you do, you will be caught, prosecuted and sent to prison for a very long time.”