Taylor Frankie Paul avoids new charges in domestic violence probes
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Taylor Frankie Paul. Photo: JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Images
Salt Lake County prosecutors declined to file charges Tuesday against "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" star Taylor Frankie Paul in two domestic violence investigations involving her ex-boyfriend.
The big picture: The outcome could clear the way for ABC to air her canceled season of "The Bachelorette" and avoid tens of millions of dollars in production losses for the network.
State of play: The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office cited a lack of evidence in both cases in Draper and West Jordan, according to declination letters sent to the respective police departments.
- Some "misdemeanor offenses" occurred more than two years ago, placing them beyond the statute of limitations.
What they're saying: "Several incidents that were submitted do not rise to the level of criminal offenses," per the letters.
- The cases were reviewed by multiple attorneys because of Paul's celebrity status, according to the district attorney's office, and charges weren't considered for anyone else involved in the investigation.
Catch up quick: Paul, 31, was slated to star in the latest season of "The Bachelorette," but it was pulled last month, three days ahead of the premiere, after TMZ published a 2023 video that showed her hitting her ex, Dakota Mortensen, and throwing barstools in his direction.
- The video appeared to show one of the barstools striking a child, whom TMZ identified as Paul's daughter.
- The video aligns with descriptions of a 2023 domestic violence case that resulted in Paul pleading guilty to aggravated assault. New charges would have breached her parole, potentially exposing her to serving prison time.
- In light of the investigations, "SLOMW" paused production on its fifth season.
Representatives for Hulu and The Walt Disney Co., ABC and Hulu's parent company, did not immediately respond to Axios' query.