LaTosha Taylor was in bed when she was doused with gasoline.

While it can’t be proven, the gas likely was thrown on her from a cooking pot and lit, an arson expert testified Monday.

Former State Fire Marshal’s Office investigator Steve Sprouse said evidence doesn’t match the story Taylor’s ex-fiance Jomekia Pope told police.

Pope contended Taylor “came at him” with a cup of gasoline in one hand and either a match or cigarette lighter in the other hand, Sprouse said.

In that scenario, the vapors from the gasoline would have ignited and both Taylor and Pope would have been burned when Pope alleges he pushed her, Sprouse said

Sprouse, medical doctors and members of Taylor’s and Pope’s family testified at a Monday sentencing hearing for Pope, who pleaded guilty last week to murder and arson.

The burns that covered more than 75 percent of Taylor’s body led to her death nearly two months after the Aug. 7, 2005 attack.

Pope’s trial was scheduled to begin Monday in Bibb County Superior Court.

Jurors reported to the courthouse and some were told to return Wednesday.

Pope, 36, can rescind his guilty plea up until he’s sentenced.

During a short recess, Pope and one of his lawyers appeared to have an animated discussion about whether he’d continue to accept the plea deal.

If found guilty at trial, Pope could face the death penalty. If he’s sentenced without a trial, he could face either life in prison with parole or without parole.

Testimony is scheduled to continue Tuesday morning.

Victim’s voice heard on 911 tape

Ward Vanderhoff was sitting on a truck’s tailgate smoking a cigarette outside his home on Lindsey Drive when he saw Taylor and Pope walking down the street.

“She stopped and asked for help,” Vanderhoff testified.

Taylor’s voice was in the background of a 911 call placed by the Vanderhoffs that was played in the courtroom Monday.

Several members of her family audibly wept as they heard her say Pope was the one who burned her.

Vanderhoff said he tries not to remember much about how Taylor looked when his wife wrapped her in wet sheets.

“Her hair was matted to her head and it was smoking,” he said.

Doctors described the third-degree burns that covered most of the 26-year-old woman’s body.

Dr. John Thomas Williams, who saw Taylor at The Medical Center of Central Georgia, described Taylor’s burns as the worst he’s handled in 20 years.

Dr. Robert Mullins, who treated Taylor at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, said she ultimately died of an overwhelming infection that caused her organs to fail.

Taylor’s family seeks maximum sentence

Taylor’s parents, uncles, sister and a friend pleaded with Chief Judge S. Phillip Brown to sentence Pope to the maximum sentence allowable by law.

Taylor’s uncle, John Vinson, and best friend Tameka Jackson, said a part of them died along with Taylor.

Vinson said Pope “shouldn‘t have an opportunity again to be in another woman’s life” because he fears Pope will hurt someone else.

Jackson and another of Taylor’s uncles, Jonathan Pettigrew, testified that Taylor had confided in them her concerns about being in a relationship with Pope.

Pettigrew wept as he said he regrets not knowing about Pope’s prior conviction on an assault charge concerning an incident with a woman in Minnesota.

She called him for advice about Pope and he generally chose an optimistic approach while “keeping her eyes open.”

“Had a I been privy to that (information) maybe I could have been instrumental in having her remove herself from that situation,” Pettigrew said.

Taylor left behind two young girls, ages 4 and 7.

Her mother, Arleshia Pettigrew, is raising them along with Taylor’s now 17-year-old sister.

In the more than seven years since Taylor died, Pettigrew hasn’t been able to move on as she’s answered questions about the lingering court case for her family and even people she sees in the community.

She deeply feels the loss of her daughter.

But “I haven’t gotten a chance to grieve,” she said.

Pope’s family seeks mercy

Pope’s parents and siblings also testified at the hearing, pleading that Pope be granted mercy and a second chance.

They said he’s matured behind bars and is truly sorry for what happened to Taylor.

If paroled, Pope won’t have the problems with alcohol that he had before his arrest, his family said.

His brother, Horace Pope Jr., said Pope could be a mentor to children and use his mistakes to help turn others to a better path.

“I hate what happened ... but I believe everybody deserves a second chance,” he said.

Jomekia Pope wiped tears from his eyes as his sister, Iyesha Billingslea, spoke of how she’d been a victim of domestic violence in college.

“It’s made him see things differently,” she said of her brother learning about her experience.

Pope’s mother, Rose McElroy, apologized to Taylor’s family and said her son had wanted to apologize too. He hasn’t because of the impending trial.

He tried to plead guilty years ago, but didn’t have the opportunity, she said.

McElroy said her family is hurting too.

Including Pope.

“Everybody’s grieving, but I’m grieving too,” she said he’s told her. “I lost someone I loved.”

Information from Telegraph archives was used in this report. To contact writer Amy Leigh Womack, call 744-4398.