Written by Cami Cox
Two men who came under fire for knocking over an ancient hoodoo in Goblin Valley State Park in October, and then posting a video of the act on YouTube, appeared in court yesterday, March 18, in Castle Dale.
Glenn Tuck Taylor and David Benjamin Hall, of Highland, became infamously known as the “goblin topplers” after their self-videoed vandalism went viral on the Internet. The two reportedly began receiving death threats and hate mail as a result of their actions, which occurred while on a scouting activity for the Boy Scouts of America. Taylor and Hall were later released from their Scout duties because of the incident.
The men say they pushed over the hoodoo because it was unstable and posed a danger to others recreating in the park. Their lawyer, Scott Card, told reporters Taylor and Hall later realized they should have reported their concerns to a park ranger rather than taking matters into their own hands. On the YouTube video, Hall can be heard saying, “That’s crazy. It was held up just by that little bit of dirt. Some little kid was about ready to walk down here and die, and Glenn saved his life by getting the boulder out of the way. So, it’s all about saving lives here in Goblin Valley. Saving lives, that’s what we’re about.”
Taylor and Hall received third-degree felony criminal mischief charges back in January for toppling the hoodoo. The two pled guilty in court yesterday, and their charges were reduced to class A misdemeanors. The men will not serve jail time but were placed on probation for one year. Their pleas will be held in abeyance for 12 months, which means their cases will be dismissed if they meet all the conditions set forth by the court and stay out of legal trouble for the next year. As part of the plea agreement, the two must pay court fees as well as investigative costs that resulted from the vandalism, and they must also make restitution to the state in an amount yet to be determined. The restitution money will reportedly be used to erect signs throughout Goblin Valley State Park warning visitors not to damage the rock formations.
Card said his clients additionally offered to perform community service as part of their restitution, but the state declined that offer.
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