That prompted three of the jurors to come forward and dispute Cameron’s account, arguing that Cameron’s staff limited their scope and wouldn’t let them consider harsher charges. Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, a Republican running for governor, has been the target of many protesters’ ire since he announced in September 2020 that only Hankison would be charged.ĭuring a 2020 news conference to announce a grand jury’s findings, Cameron said jurors “agreed” that homicide charges were not warranted against the officers, because they were fired upon. The new federal indictment charges Hankison with excessive force for firing into Taylor’s and a neighbor’s apartments. He was acquitted in March of wanton endangerment. He was indicted on state charges in 2020, but they were related to bullets he fired that nearly hit Taylor’s neighbors. Hankison was the only officer charged Thursday who was on the scene the night of the killing. Investigators later learned that Jaynes had not confirmed any package deliveries with the postal inspector. The warrant used to search Taylor’s apartment alleged that she was receiving packages for a suspected drug dealer who was a former boyfriend. Taylor family lawyer Ben Crump said Goodlett has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. They and Hankison are facing a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Both are charged with conspiracy and deprivation of rights. Jaynes and Meany both knew the warrant used to search Taylor’s home had information that was “false, misleading and out of date,” the indictment says. Louisville police are moving to fire Goodlett and Meany. The indictments unsealed Thursday name former Louisville officers Joshua Jaynes and Brett Hankison, along with current officers Kelly Goodlett and Sgt. Several police officers returned fire, striking Taylor multiple times. The boyfriend later said he thought the officer was an intruder. Taylor’s boyfriend fired a defensive shot that hit one of the officers as he came through the door. The 26-year-old Black woman was shot to death after officers used a battering ram to knock down her door during a search for drugs. Most of the new charges center around the faulty warrant that led officers to Taylor’s front door.
The indictments represent the first time Louisville police officers have been held accountable for Taylor’s shooting death in her home. “What this decision yesterday did is to begin lifting the cloud that had been hanging over us.” “It is such a weight lifted,” said Sadiqa Reynolds, president of Louisville’s Urban League, who has advocated for Taylor’s family and led protest marches.
#Photo police choke black women series
Attorney General Merrick Garland announced federal charges against four officers involved in the March 13, 2020, raid that ended in Taylor’s death.Īfter a series of disappointing setbacks, the charges brought a welcome sense of relief. This week they saw their fortunes suddenly change, when U.S. (AP) - Louisville activists put in long hours on phones and in the streets, working tirelessly to call for arrests in the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor - but it was mostly two years filled with frustration.