01/05/2022
My (Taylor Stewart) final words to the court:
“Your honor,
In the past decade, my work as a social worker has intersected with various part of our legal system. I have seen a lot of injustices. I was once told to avoid questioning the clear racial disparities as they were funding our treatment program.
Part of what started me down this revolting path was a desire not only to find out who gets justice in this system we hold so dear, but to better understand how so many of my clients, especially black juveniles, ended up where they were, despite clear evidence.
I did not begin with the intention of standing here before you but rather the intention of standing up for what I believed in.
I experienced the traumas of arrest and incarceration my clients knew too well. I have also developed a clear understanding of the mechanisms used to force guilty pleas, despite innocence, unfortunately, by joining the ranks of those who never get a chance to go to trial.
I have certainly made mistakes nor would I do it all the same given a second chance. At the very least unjust to have gathered 16 charges within 8 months in a suburb that publicly denies deviating from policy and ongoing racial discrimination.
I have seen officers abuse their power again and again. In fact, I have been diagnosed with PTSD stemming from an unlawful, violent arrest inside my own home.
I was unable to even attend a confusing protection order hearing filed (with encouragement) by my next door neighbor I used to frequently help because I couldn't leave the house. I cowered under my table every time there was a knock at the door.
The entire pretense of the protection order stemmed from a misunderstood statement about Andre Hill, and allegations that I was damaging a fence claimed by my neighbor despite conclusive proof it belonged to me. Officers are on camera saying that, were it proven to be my fence, the charges would not stand. However, the charges only multiplied with production of evidence in my favor.
Well, here I stand, after four mental health assessments, another survey again proving ownership (paid for by Bexley), and another charge of violating a protection order filed four months after the complaint... ready to be sentenced.
By trying to help neighbors to understand the need for racial justice in Bexley, I had my 1st and 4th amendment rights violated as well as my character assonated in print.
I have lost the practice I have been building for 5 years, which aimed to make therapy affordable for everyone and fair pay for therapists. I have lost my livelihood, my home, and my faith in much of what my profession had taught me about change being possible through advocacy and policy change.
While I appreciate the opportunity to plead to lesser charges, it sickens me that the freedom of speech and property rights so entrenched in our capitalist system are more abstract concepts than reality.
I ask your honor to consider, as I have seen you so many times in drug court as that young social worker, to be reasonable and just in your disposition today.
I was promised no probation were I to move from bexley. I have left what I thought would be my forever home based on these written promises.
I realize that I am far from the most adversely affected by the injustices I saw and sought to see change. That said, my life has already been turned upside down. Even prior to a conviction, my license to practice was revoked which impacted clients and staff.
My son has faced such turmoil that his anxiety and trauma is visible to all at just 4 years old. I have lost close friends and some ties to family because of invalid and disproven information. My finances are in shambles after having to hire several lawyers as they all wanted me to plea guilty for damaging my own fence and inability to work.
I could continue but I won't. I appreciate being allowed to speak and hope that these words will be received with a kind ear and are meant with respectful humility towards your honor and this court.”
