A Utah judge has ruled that both Taylor Frankie Paul, a former Bachelorette contestant, and her ex-partner, Dakota Mortensen, engaged in mutual violence during their past domestic disputes.
In a recent custody hearing concerning their two-year-old son Ever, District Commissioner Russell Minas addressed the 31-year-old Paul and the 33-year-old Mortensen, noting that both parties had exhibited “violence both ways” in previous interactions, as reported by People.
Documents from the court case, accessed by the Daily Mail, indicate that Minas approved protective orders for both Paul and Mortensen against each other following the proceedings.
The trial highlighted details of the couple’s turbulent history, including an assertion from Paul’s legal team that she endured two miscarriages prior to Mortensen’s allegations of domestic violence against her.
Eric M. Swinyard, Paul’s attorney, stated, “Today’s hearing marked a vital step as the Court issued protective orders mandating that Taylor’s former partner maintain a distance from her.”
Swinyard further commented, “Taylor was remarkably open with the Court, admitting her imperfections, which starkly contrasted with the other party’s presentation, despite evidence and input from law enforcement suggesting otherwise.”
Disgraced Bachelorette star Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex Dakota Mortensen were determined to have both been violent in alleged domestic violence incidents by a judge on Thursday; Paul is pictured in court in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Thursday
Court documents obtained by the Daily Mail reveal that Commissioner Russell Minas granted both Paul and Mortensen’s requests for protective orders against each other after the hearing; Mortensen is pictured in court in Salt Lake City on Thursday
The latest development in their case comes after ABC opted not to air Paul’s season of The Bachelorette after disturbing video of Paul throwing metal chairs at Mortensen during a past confrontation resurfaced
‘Taylor feels solidarity with the many survivors who have endured similar hardships behind closed doors and shared only part of their stories, and she remains grateful for the outpouring of support she continues to receive. She looks forward to continuing to cooperate with the Court to make progress in the custody case.’
The Daily Mail has also reached out to Mortensen’s representatives for comment.
The latest development in their case comes after ABC opted not to air Paul’s season of The Bachelorette after disturbing video of Paul throwing metal chairs at Mortensen during a past confrontation resurfaced.
The joint appearance by the warring exes marks the first time they have been pictured together since they were engulfed in dueling domestic violence accusations.
In the livestreamed hearing, Minas said Paul and Mortensen can’t be around each other for long, as ‘it turns violent.’
‘I’m finding that there’s been violence both ways between these parties,’ he said in court.
The judge added that Paul and Mortensen had to ‘figure out’ their issues for the sake of their young son.
‘I’m hoping you’re not just people who thrive on the drama and the conflict,’ he said, according to People. ‘You guys have to figure out a lot here. You have to figure out how to function as coparents. This is dysfunctional.’
In the livestreamed hearing, Minas said Paul and Mortensen can’t be around each other for long, as ‘it turns violent.’ He added, ‘I’m finding that there’s been violence both ways between these parties’; Paul and Mortensen are pictured in court in Salt Lake City on April 30
In the custody hearing over their two-year-old son Ever, Minas said Paul and Mortensen were ‘modeling right now how to deal with conflict,’ and he warned that their behavior could negatively affect their son even as an adult
While addressing Paul and Mortensen, Minas said, ‘You’re linked together for the remainder of your lives. This is your legacy.’
Minas said the exes were ‘modeling right now how to deal with conflict’ in front of their son, and he warned that their controversial public displays could harm their child even as an adult.
He went on to call out the ‘toxicity’ that Paul and Mortensen allegedly displayed.
‘I’m really intent on trying to keep the two of you away from each other for now,’ Minas declared, adding that they should ‘not be in the same place at the same time.’
Paul and Mortensen have their next custody hearing set for June 1, but Minas said they would receive recommendations on how much parenting time each should have with Ever before that date.
During the tense hearing, Paul’s attorney said she had suffered two miscarriages before Mortensen accused her of domestic violence in February of this year.
‘This was a very difficult time in their relationship,’ her attorney said, according to Us Weekly. ‘They were going through some challenges, of course, compounded by the fact that my client was dealing with two recent miscarriages.’
Paul’s lawyer said the miscarriages – which had not been previously disclosed – happened prior to Paul and Mortensen’s violent confrontation, which began on February 23 and spilled over to the following day.
Paul’s attorney claimed in court that she had suffered two miscarriages before Mortensen accused her of domestic violence in February; Paul is pictured in court in Salt Lake City on April 30
