Taylor Frankie Paul Attorney Presents Speech at Protective Order Hearing
Taylor Frankie PaulHis attorney speaks after a judge acquitted him and his ex Dakota Mortensen protective orders during a detention hearing on Thursday, April 30.
“Today’s hearing was an important step forward as the Court entered protective orders that required Taylor’s ex-partner to stay away from her,” Taylor’s attorney, Eric M. Swinyardyou have been told Us Weekly in the statement.
Swinyard went on to praise Taylor, 31, for his candor during Thursday’s hearing, after he and Dakota, 33, made allegations of domestic violence against each other.
“Taylor has unequivocally told the Court that he is flawed and flawed, which is the very opposite of how the other side has argued, despite the evidence and legal opinions to the contrary,” Swinyard said.
He continued, “Taylor feels a sense of solidarity with the many survivors who have endured similar hardships behind closed doors and shared only part of their stories, and remains grateful for the support she continues to receive. She looks forward to continuing to work with the Court to make progress in the custody case.”
Utah Judge Commissioner Russell Minas issued orders to protect both Secret Lives of Mormon Wives stars, ordering them to stay 100 feet from each other. The orders are expected to last three years.
Minas has made no changes to the former couple’s plan to adopt their 2-year-old son, Ever. Dakota was granted temporary custody of Ever in March, and Taylor was allowed up to eight hours of supervised visitation each week. (Taylor also shares daughter Indy, 8, and son Ocean, 5, with ex-husband Father Paul.)
“This has been a very toxic relationship. It’s beyond the pale in many ways, it’s toxic,” the judge told the inmates on Thursday. “What I have seen in evidence is the posting [the] final hearing, there seems to be an ongoing attraction they have for each other. … You guys should get a lot here. You have to figure out how to work as parents. “
Taylor’s Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen have never shied away from talking about their bad — and often volatile — experiences before their many domestic feuds. Before the show aired on Hulu in September 2024, Taylor and Dakota started dating following her divorce from husband Tate Paul after that. […]
“I hope you are not the people who succeed in the game and conflict, you must put your child first and protect the child in this conflict,” added Minas. “I will leave the stream [custody] order in place. I need to think more about this surveillance upgrade. I have mixed feelings about it.”
Dakota sought custody of Ever in March amid a separate police investigation into alleged domestic violence involving Taylor and Dakota. In April, prosecutors declined to file charges against Taylor in connection with the incidents, which allegedly occurred in 2024 in West Jordan, Utah, and last February in Draper, Utah, respectively.
“After reviewing the reports and evidence submitted to the Draper Police Department and the West Jordan Police Department, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office has declined to file charges against Taylor Frankie Paul,” the district attorney said. Sim GillThe office said in a statement received by Us on April 14.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
