Tay’lor Smith is handcuffed after receiving a sentence of two days in jail and 38 days on a work crew. She was sentenced for pushing Kalama teen Jordan Holgerson off of a bridge at Moulton Falls Regional Park in August which she pled guilty to earlier this month.
Jordan Holgerson, a Kalama teen who was pushed more than 50 feet off a bridge at Moulton Falls Regional Park in August, talks to media gathered outside of a Clark County courtroom following the sentencing of Tay’lor Smith, who was found guilty of pushing Holgerson off the bridge.
The defendant in a reckless endangerment case at Moulton Falls Regional Park last August received a sentence of two days in jail and 38 participating in a work crew following an appearance in Clark County District Court today.
Tay’lor Smith, 19, of Kalama received the sentence after pleading guilty to a charge of reckless endangerment last week. Initially the prosecution had suggested a sentence of 60 days home confinement, 30 days on a work crew and 30 days of community service, though Clark County District Court Judge Darvin Zimmerman noted the severity of injuries suffered by the victim, Jordan Holgerson, 17, as being more in line with an assault charge than the gross misdemeanor Smith faced.
“I think you need to do some jail time,” Zimmerman said prior to sentencing.
Holgerson came before the judge to give a statement, read by a victim’s advocate, where she listed her injuries — six broken ribs, both lungs punctured, torn muscles and extensive bruising. Her statement noted that her chances at playing softball in college were likely over given her injuries.
Jordan Holgerson’s mother, Genelle, said her daughter spent three days in the hospital following the Aug. 7 incident where she fell more than 50 feet from a bridge at Moulton Falls. When released Jordan, had twice-weekly physical therapy sessions which led to Genelle missing weeks of work to care for her injured daughter.
“This should have been a felony assault,” Genelle Holgerson remarked during her statement. Zimmerman seemed to agree, adding prior to handing down the sentence that if Holgerson had died from the fall Smith would be looking at a manslaughter charge.
The incident made international news as video of the push off the bridge was widely circulated online and in the media after the event. In it, Jordan Holgerson is standing outside of the bridge railing, showing hesitation to take the plunge. An individual, later identified as Smith, is seen pushing Holgerson off the bridge.
Prior to the sentencing Smith expressed remorse over the incident, explaining that since it had happened she had worked to “right her wrongs,” adding she had learned to think and process outcomes better. Smith’s defense attorney read a letter from her pastor at Riverview Community Church in support of the defendant.
Genelle Holgerson disputed that Smith was remorseful, alleging that the defendant did nothing to help after her daughter fell into the water and didn’t seek to see her at the hospital following the incident. Smith’s defense attorney said claims the defendant didn’t do anything to help or show remorse was false, claiming to have text messages that showed otherwise.
“We are happy that the judge imposed what he did and we’re happy that it’s over,” Genelle Holgerson said outside of the courtroom. They had waited a few minutes before exiting as Genelle said that family of Smith’s were threatening her daughter.
Jordan Holgerson did not say much following the sentencing, and her mother said she would be spending the rest of the day resting.
“I think it’s probably just as emotional for (Smith) as it was for me,” Jordan Holgerson added. She said the physical aspects of healing were going well though mentally she still suffers from anxiety related to the incident.
“I’m happy it’s over,” Jordan Holgerson remarked.
