Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA) is accusing his Democratic opponent, Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor, of being too lenient on violent offenders, including people convicted of abusing children and a nursing home patient. Wittman made the claims during an appearance on Breitbart News Daily as he campaigns for reelection in Virginia’s 1st Congressional District.
Wittman described Taylor as a “progressive prosecutor” who he said “proudly displays that moniker.” He compared her to Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano, whom Wittman said has drawn national attention, including testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, over his charging decisions.
Among the cases Wittman cited was one involving a defendant he said faced nine felony counts for sexually assaulting children. According to Wittman, Taylor chose to prosecute the case as a misdemeanor rather than a felony, resulting in a one-year jail sentence and no requirement that the individual register as a sex offender.
“Which means that individual who sexually abused children is now not only back out on the street, but is living in somebody’s neighborhood, you know, potentially to sexually abuse children again,” Wittman said.
Wittman also described a case involving a 51-year-old nursing home worker accused of abusing an 82-year-old Alzheimer’s patient. He said Taylor declined to prosecute despite evidence from local police, the Virginia Department of Health, and the Virginia Board of Nursing. Wittman said that individual went on to abuse additional nursing home patients roughly six months later.
In a third case Wittman raised, a neonatal intensive care nurse was accused of abusing eight premature infants, including breaking bones in their hands and feet. Wittman said the case could have carried a 45-year sentence but that Taylor reduced it to three years.
“That’s four months for every baby that was abused by this individual,” Wittman said, adding that the infants “are going to live with those injuries for the rest of their lives.”
Wittman further claimed that out of 177 cases involving felony assault on police officers, Taylor reduced the charge to a misdemeanor in 75 percent of them.
“So she doesn’t support police. She’s sympathetic to criminals. She doesn’t stand on the side of victims. She doesn’t stand on the side of the citizens in Henrico County who elected her as the chief prosecutor in the county,” Wittman said.
The claims were made by Wittman during a campaign interview and have not been independently verified. Taylor’s office was not quoted responding to the specific allegations in the interview.
