Man accused of killing man at racetrack turns himself in

Published 2:29 pm Tuesday, August 25, 2015

PORTLAND, Ore. — A 50-year-old Washington man accused of killing another man at a motocross event with one punch has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges.

The Oregonian reported that Michael Eugene Taylor turned himself in Sunday and pleaded not guilty Monday in Multnomah County Circuit Court to second-degree manslaughter and second-degree assault charges.

A medical examiner says Anthony Mancuso, 61, died July 10 after a fight caused him to fall back and hit his head on the pavement. Officials say the fight began at a motocross race at Portland International Raceway that involved Mancuso’s and Taylor’s sons.

Taylor told county court officials that he was defending his son, a motocross rider, from bullying by another rider and his father.

He is being held on $500,000 bail.