A young Turlock woman is slowly recovering from injuries she suffered in an assault that the Turlock Police Department has classified as a hate crime.
The father and son arrested for the attack were identified as Eddie Taylor Sr., 53, and Eddie Taylor Jr., 25. Both were arrested on suspicion of assault causing great bodily injury and committing a hate crime, according to the police report.
The Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office has not filed charges against either man as of yet, but the case remains under review, Chief Deputy District Attorney Alan Cassidy said.
The attack was reported around 2:30 a.m. Dec. 23 outside of Staley’s Club at 426 E. Main St. in Turlock, but the incident began earlier inside the bar, according to the victim’s mother.
The victim, who is black, was in the bar and was stepping outside when one of the Taylors allegedly uttered a racial slur at her. According to the police report, the victim and both men were in a heated verbal exchange before the men were asked to leave the bar.
A short time after the men left, the victim stepped outside and was talking to a friend when she was punched upside the head.
“They blindsided her,” said the victim’s mother, who did not want her name used so as to protect her daughter’s identity. “They hit her repeatedly until she fell to the ground unconscious, then they kept kicking her.”
The two men reportedly left the area before law enforcement arrived, but a description of their vehicle was given and located a short distance away from the scene, said Turlock Police Lt. Miguel Pacheco.
The victim suffered multiple injuries and was taken to Doctors Medical Center. She continues to have difficulties with her speech and is suffering from frequent migraines, her mother said.
“Her spirit right now is really just completely broken,” she said.