So this story needs some background. Dexter Taylor, a New York man, took up gunsmithing as a hobby during COVID. That hobby eventually led to a SWAT raid on his home and a long legal battle.
Jeff Charles from RedState has details:
Dexter Taylor is a 52-year-old native New Yorker and a software engineer who enjoys building things. When he discovered the world of gun manufacturing, he believed he had found a new hobby and possibly a small business opportunity. Now, he is locked in a legal battle for his freedom against the state of New York.
I spoke with Taylor on my podcast, where he laid out the story. He had decided to start building firearms and purchased various parts online using his credit card. “Ever since I was a kid, I was really, like most red-blooded American kids, I was interested in guns and tanks and fighter planes because it was cool,” he said, recalling getting interested in gunsmithing three or four years ago.
After a trial, Taylor was convicted and will be sentenced in May. He faces 10 to 18 years in prison on multiple gun-related charges.
Here's more on the conviction from RedState:
The jury found Taylor guilty of second-degree criminal possession of a loaded weapon, four counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, five counts of criminal possession of a firearm, second-degree criminal possession of five or more firearms, unlawful possession of pistol ammunition, violation of certificate of registration, prohibition on unfinished frames or receivers. Two lesser charges, including third-degree criminal possession of three or more firearms and third-degree possession of a weapon, were not voted on.
Taylor, a 52-year-old New York native and a software engineer, discovered the world of gunsmithing years ago. He decided to take it up as a hobby and possibly turn it into a business later. However, when a joint ATF/NYPD task force discovered he was legally buying parts from various companies, they opened up an investigation that led to a SWAT raid and arrest.
He is currently being jailed on Rikers Island as he awaits sentencing. Taylor’s conviction highlights the ongoing battle for gun rights. During an interview with Vinoo Varghese, Taylor’s defense lawyer, he detailed how Taylor’s trial proceeded and highlighted a distinct bias in favor of the prosecution.
The most alarming part of this is what the judge -- Judge Abena Darkeh -- said to the defense: the Second Amendment doesn't exist in her courtroom.
Here's Charles, who's followed Taylor's case, pointing out the hypocrisy of the New York court system:
In New York, you can smother a toddler to death while high on methamphetamine with no consequences.
— Jeff Charles, An Awful Pundit🏴 (@jeffcharlesjr) April 23, 2024
But if you build your own firearms for your own use, you could be facing almost two decades in prison, just like Dexter Taylor.#IStandWithDexterTaylor pic.twitter.com/I0L7YxEgNt
Just insane.
"Do not bring the Second Amendment into this courtroom. It doesn’t exist here. So you can’t argue Second Amendment. This is New York."
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) April 24, 2024
It sure is. https://t.co/Cjqzsj03ow
So the Second Amendment doesn't exist in New York?
Good to know.
That alone should be grounds for -- at a minimum -- a mistrial. And then the judge should be censured.
Your rights exist in every court room.
Interesting how she's trying to put a black man in jail for doing nothing illegal...
— Oscar Von Reuenthal (@OscarVReuenthal) April 24, 2024
Very.
The judge should be removed from the bench.
— Planet Of Memes (@PlanetOfMemes) April 24, 2024
Yes. Disbarred and unable to ever set foot in a court room again.
Without government who would tell you that you can't bring up your Constitutional Rights, during your trial?!https://t.co/tA0QCXadTl
— Doni 🤓🏴🏴☠️ (@DoniTheDon_) April 22, 2024
Only government does that.
"Do not bring the Second Amendment into this courtroom. It doesn’t exist here. So you can’t argue Second Amendment. This is New York." Tyrant Judge Abena Darkeh https://t.co/1tgRcE9QRh pic.twitter.com/reVl5josnF
— Doni 🤓🏴🏴☠️ (@DoniTheDon_) April 23, 2024
Tyrant is the best way to describe it.
NY Judge: The Second Amendment Doesn't Exist Here. ‘Do not bring the Second Amendment into this courtroom. It doesn’t exist here. So you can’t argue Second Amendment. This is New York.'
— Dane (@UltraDane) April 23, 2024
Judge Abena Darkeh, suggesting that the Second Amendment doesn't apply anywhere she doesn't… pic.twitter.com/HxFtaqLv13
Taylor's attorneys plan to appeal, and to take this all the way to SCOTUS, if necessary. He's due to for sentencing in May, and we'll see if the judge throws the book at him. We suspect she will, which makes this all the more outrageous.
And we'll keep you updated.
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