Taylor Frankie Paul, a prominent figure in the TV shows “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” and the recently scrapped season of “The Bachelorette,” has been cleared of charges related to altercations with her former partner, as confirmed by the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday.
Following reports of domestic violence claims in 2024 and this February by Paul’s ex-partner Dakota Mortensen, investigations were conducted by the police in Draper City and West Jordan, suburbs of Salt Lake City. Both parties have accused each other, with Mortensen being the father of Paul’s two-year-old son. Notably, the allegations made by Paul against Mortensen were not addressed in official documents.
The decision not to press charges against Paul was based on the fact that any new charges would have violated her probation resulting from a 2023 assault on Mortensen. The district attorney’s Family Protection Unit lawyer, Breanne Miller, stated that several incidents reported did not meet the criteria for criminal charges, while others lacked substantial evidence for prosecution.
Furthermore, it was highlighted that some incidents dated back more than three years, falling outside the legal timeframe for review. Despite the absence of new charges, the protective order against Paul filed by Mortensen, which is currently temporary and subject to review on April 30, remains unaffected.
During a recent hearing on April 7, Paul’s lawyer, Eric Swinyard, argued that Mortensen had initiated a physical altercation in February, referred to as “the truck tussle,” where Paul allegedly threw a drink at Mortensen, leading to a confrontation inside a truck. Swinyard claimed that Mortensen had physically assaulted Paul, causing injuries documented by photographic evidence.
The tumultuous relationship between Paul and Mortensen, extensively portrayed on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” since its debut in 2024, has drawn significant attention, ultimately propelling Paul to reality TV stardom. Notably, the series premiere featured footage from Paul’s 2023 arrest captured by police body cameras.
The ongoing legal battle between the couple, including dueling petitions for protective orders, sheds light on the complexities of their relationship, with multiple conflicts being scrutinized by the authorities and legal representatives involved.