The trial of Chauncey Eugene Wilson, 45, who was charged in Taplin’s death, is scheduled for Feb. 4.
A hearing for Wilson’s co-defendant, Jasmine Rando-lph Alexander, is scheduled for Feb. 7.
Alexander was Taplin’s former girlfriend and was in a relationship with Wilson when Taplin was shot.
First Assistant District Attorney Murff Bledsoe said he expects Ms. Alexander to testify at Wilson’s trial but declined to say whether a plea deal had been offered.
Alexander’s attorney, Darrell Guess, said attorney-client privilege prevents him from discussing the case.
“Both of them need to go to prison and never get out,” Taplin’s mother, Lorena Taplin said on Wednesday. “I know she set it up.”
On the day of the shooting Mrs. Taplin said she answered a phone call from Ms. Alexander. She said her son talked to Ms. Alexander then told Mrs. Taplin he was going to her house.
He was shot dead a short time later.
“It is good Jasmine is testifying,” Taplin’s cousin Bobby White said. “Without someone telling how it is, nobody is going to know because a dead man don’t talk.”
Ms. Alexander has been in Bell County Jail on $50,000 bail since March 28. Wilson posted bail shortly after his arrest. Taplin family members reported seeing him recently at a funeral in Temple.
Mrs. Taplin said she and her daughter have been seeing a psychologist since the shooting.
“My doctor said I shouldn’t go (to the trial),” she said. “But if I have to go and testify, I will.”
