Councilman Taylor is facing domestic violence charges
Dennis Edward “Bill” Taylor, a fourth-term Wolfetown representative on the Cherokee Tribal Council, is facing three felony charges after an Oct. 6 incident in which he allegedly rammed his truck into his wife’s vehicle as she tried to flee.
Taylor, 51, was booked Friday, Oct. 7, on a warrant issued Thursday, Oct. 6. He faces three charges: domestic violence assault on a female, assault with a deadly weapon and reckless endangerment. His wife filed a domestic violence protection order against him.
Court documents allege that Taylor harassed his wife by constantly texting her while drunk and that it ended in a domestic dispute. As she attempted to flee in her vehicle, Taylor allegedly rammed her truck and struck her vehicle with such force that it was disabled, including damage to the rear bumper and tires. Taylor’s vehicle was also damaged. The collision is said to have jarred his wife’s body enough to cause physical damage.
After that, court documents say, Taylor fled the scene.
After 72 hours of incarceration at the Cherokee Tribal Jail, Taylor pleaded not guilty at a 9 a.m. arraignment on Monday, Oct. 10. His next court date is at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, October 18.
As a condition of his release, Taylor must wear a continuous alcohol monitoring device. To continue driving, he must allow a breathalyzer to be placed in his vehicle.
Taylor is also subject to a number of restrictions outlined in the Domestic Violence Protection Act. Until the order is overturned or the court approves a final order of protection, Taylor’s wife will keep possession of the couple’s Infiniti QX55 and live in their home, with Taylor required to stay away from the residence. He is barred from any personal possessions in the household apart from his own clothing, toiletries and tools. The court order allows his children to collect items from the home on his behalf.
Taylor cannot come within 150 feet of his wife or a member of her family. He must not communicate with them or visit their homes, workplaces or schools.
In addition, he may not withdraw money from the couple’s joint bank account. He must hand over all firearms, ammunition and gun licenses to the authorities. He may not receive, use, purchase or possess any guns while the order is active.
The order also requires Taylor to participate in a substance abuse treatment program, as well as drug or alcohol evaluation or treatment.
Taylor is currently serving his fourth term on the Tribal Council. He chaired the body from 2015-2017 and presided over a tumultuous period in tribal government that included the conviction and removal of former Chief Patrick Lambert.
Under tribal law, a tribal council can remove a member “who has broken his oath of office or is guilty of an offense that disqualifies him from holding office” by a two-thirds vote. The oath of office outlined in the tribe’s charter and charter includes a promise to “preserve, protect and defend the treaty and charter and laws established and confirmed by the enrolled members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians,” and “that in all counsel that may come before me shall I act in such manner as in my judgment will appear conducive to the interests and prosperity of the Eastern Cherokees.
The next Tribal Council meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 17, although no discussion related to the charges against Taylor is on the general agenda. The Wolfetown Community Club held a meeting for Taylor’s constituents at 6pm on Thursday, October 13 to discuss the issue.
Community Club President Jesse Sneed said that while he believes Taylor is innocent until proven guilty, he hopes the vacancies will be filled quickly if the situation makes Taylor ineligible to participate in Tribal Council.
“If our representative can’t vote, that takes power away from our community in laws, rules and regulations,” he said. “Whatever comes into the council, we want to have a full voice in the conversation.”
Neither Taylor nor his attorney, Leo Phillips, returned a request for comment.
In a statement to The Cherokee One Feather, Phillips called the events of Oct. 6 an accident and said the defense would wait until next week to provide a more detailed public response to the recent death of Painttown Rep. Tommye Saunooke.
“This week (Mr Taylor) just wanted to let everyone know that he wanted to pay respect to the Saunooke family,” Phillips told The One Feather. “He is sorry that this has caused this accident, but he is in compliance with the court order at this point.”
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.