San Diego

A suspect in the slayings of three prostitutes was found guilty of premeditated attempted murder of another prostitute Tuesday, making him eligible for a life sentence.

Blake Taylor, 25, of Lemon Grove hung his head after hearing the first guilty verdict read in San Diego Superior Court. The jury had deliberated five days.

Taylor was also convicted of false imprisonment of Irene (Jade) Quinland, 42, and assaulting her with a shotgun.

Taylor’s mother broke down and cried after the verdicts were read.

Taylor is an uncharged suspect in as many as three killings of prostitutes whose bodies were found in North County, according to Deputy Dist. Atty. Charles Rogers.

Quinland testified that, during the June 9 attack on her, Taylor said he couldn’t let her go because police would “find out about the other women.”

The jury acquitted Taylor of robbing Quinland of $40, which he testified he paid her and was trying to get back at gunpoint after changing his mind about having sex with her.

Defense attorney William Youmans said it was “difficult to fight against . . . a climate of fear” in the courtroom because of the possible connection to the series of homicides involving prostitutes in North and East County.

Judge Charles Hayes set sentencing for Jan. 10. Taylor, who was already in custody, had his $100,000 bail revoked.