The Exorcism of Michael Taylor

In October 1974, in the English town of Ossett, West Yorkshire, a Christian fellowship group attempted to exorcise demons from Michael Taylor, a married butcher who had recently undergone a dramatic religious conversion. The exorcism lasted through the night. Hours after its conclusion, Taylor murdered his wife in one of the most brutal killings in British criminal history. The case raised profound questions about the dangers of exorcism and the responsibilities of religious leaders.

The Conversion

Michael Taylor was a 31-year-old butcher, married with five children. In 1974, he joined a Christian fellowship group in Ossett and underwent what appeared to be a dramatic religious conversion. He became intensely involved with the group and its charismatic leader, Marie Robinson.

Taylor’s wife, Christine, grew concerned about her husband’s behavior and his apparent infatuation with Robinson. Confrontations between the three became increasingly heated. Taylor’s behavior became erratic—he alternated between religious ecstasy and violent outbursts.

The fellowship group interpreted Taylor’s behavior as evidence of demonic possession. They contacted Anglican clergy to perform an exorcism.

The Exorcism

On October 5, 1974, Methodist minister Peter Vincent and Anglican vicar Raymond Smith, along with members of the fellowship group, began an exorcism of Michael Taylor. The ritual took place through the night, lasting approximately eight hours.

During the exorcism, the ministers claimed to expel dozens of demons from Taylor, including spirits of violence, murder, and insanity. As dawn approached, the exhausted exorcists decided to end the ritual, believing they had expelled the most dangerous entities. However, they acknowledged that some demons remained, including the demons of murder and insanity.

Taylor was sent home with his wife. He was described as calm and appeared relieved.

The Murder

Within hours of returning home, Michael Taylor attacked his wife Christine with savage ferocity. He strangled her, gouged out her eyes, and tore off most of her face. He also killed the family dog.

Taylor was found wandering the streets naked and covered in blood. He reportedly told police, “It is the blood of Satan.”

Christine Taylor’s body showed over 80 injuries. The attack was one of the most violent murders in British history.

The Trial

Michael Taylor was charged with murder. At trial, the defense argued that Taylor was insane at the time of the killing, driven to madness by the all-night exorcism and the atmosphere of religious hysteria surrounding it.

Psychiatrists testified that Taylor was suffering from an acute psychotic episode when he killed his wife. The exorcism, which lasted eight hours and involved intense psychological pressure, may have precipitated or exacerbated his mental breakdown.

Taylor was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to Broadmoor psychiatric hospital. The exorcists were not charged with any crime, though they faced criticism from both religious and secular authorities.

Aftermath

The case sparked debate in England about the practice of exorcism. The Church of England subsequently issued guidelines requiring that any exorcism be conducted only with the authorization of a bishop and with proper medical and psychological assessment beforehand.

Michael Taylor was eventually released from Broadmoor after being deemed no longer a danger to the public. He expressed deep remorse for Christine’s death and maintained that he had no memory of the attack.

Marie Robinson and the fellowship group disbanded. The ministers involved defended their actions, maintaining that Taylor had been genuinely possessed and that the murder was the work of the demons they had failed to expel.

Assessment

The Michael Taylor case illustrates the potential dangers of exorcism, particularly when performed on individuals who may be experiencing genuine mental illness. Whether Taylor was possessed by demons or suffering from a psychotic break, the all-night exorcism appears to have worsened his condition rather than healing it.

The case raises questions about the responsibilities of religious leaders when dealing with disturbed individuals. The exorcists acknowledged leaving demons of “murder” and “insanity” inside Taylor, then sent him home. Hours later, his wife was dead.

Christine Taylor’s death was a preventable tragedy. Whether her husband was possessed by supernatural evil or by the demons of mental illness, the ritualistic treatment he received failed catastrophically. The case remains a cautionary tale about the intersection of religious belief, psychological distress, and violence.