The Police Officers Who Killed Breonna Taylor Will Face No Charges Over Her Death
Protests have again broken out over the decision.
The police officers who killed Breonna Taylor after bursting into her home and opening fire will face no charges over her death.
A Kentucky grand jury has decided that Sgt John Mattingly and Det. Myles Cosgrove were “justified in their use of force” because Taylor’s boyfriend fired at officers first after they broke down her door.
The third officer, Brett Hankison, was charged with three counts of “wanton endangerment” — because some of the shots he blindly fired went into a neighbouring apartment.
Taylor’s case has been a flashpoint for Black Lives Matter activists in the US, who are furious with the grand jury’s decision. The lawyer for Taylor’s family, Ben Crump, called it “outrageous and offensive”.
A state of emergency was declared in Louisville after the result, with Mayor Greg Fischer deploying the National Guard “due to the potential for civil unrest“. Protests began peacefully but clashes began after police moved to block people from marching down the street. Two officers have now reportedly been shot.
How ironic and typical that the only charges brought in Breonna Taylor’s case were for shots fired into the apartment of a white neighbor, while no charges were brought for the shots fired at Bre or into her Black neighbor’s apartment.
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) September 24, 2020
there is no justice for #BreonnaTaylor tonight. i am disgusted by our legal system. make no mistake, we will keep fighting for justice. we will keep saying her name. 🤍🤍🤍
— 🌙👼🏼 MADS 👼🏼🌟 (@maddieflexman) September 24, 2020
Three killers. One indictment. No murder charges. No homicide charges. No charges for Breonna Taylor’s death at all. All three killers walk free.
This is not #JusticeForBreonnaTaylor. This is tyranny rewarding brutality. pic.twitter.com/Ts8Lb7IiNY— Bobby Boucher Esq. (@BobTheComrade) September 23, 2020
Breonna Taylor—an innocent black woman—was shot 5 times and killed. No charges were brought.
Another 15 shots missed Breonna, and hit the wall she shared with her white neighbor. This warranted criminal charges.
A white person’s wall is more valuable than a black woman’s life.
— HippyHitman (@HippyHitman) September 24, 2020
So essentially what they said today is that drywall, (which can be bought and sold, i.e. is replaceable) is of more value than a human life…or should I say a black female life.
This system is f*cked. I’m not surprised this is the outcome…yet is still hurts. #BreonnaTaylor
— jurnee smollett (@jurneesmollett) September 24, 2020
Guys, never forget that Breonna Taylor’s killers were at the wrong house.
The wrong house.
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) September 23, 2020
What Happened To Breonna?
Taylor, a hospital worker, was shot multiple times by police shortly after midnight on March 13.
She was at home with her boyfriend Kenneth Walker when plainclothes police officers used a battering ram to break down her door.
Police were actually looking for Taylor’s ex-boyfriend, who was the focus of a drugs investigation. No drugs or evidence of any other crime were found at Taylor’s apartment.
Walker later said when he heard the noise he thought her ex was trying to break in, so he grabbed his gun to defend them. When he saw the door fly off its hinges he fired off a shot, which hit an officer.
Hankison, Mattingly and Cosgrove then fired their guns, and Taylor was struck by six bullets.
So, if the police enter a dark house and someone in that house fires at them they have the right to kill anyone in that house, whether they are the shooter or not, just in case. Got it. #breonnataylor
— Charles M. Blow (@CharlesMBlow) September 24, 2020
this breonna taylor shit is fucking ridiculous if they burn that city to the ground they will honestly have my support.
— jame (@imyourgoose) September 24, 2020
I’m just gonna start posting this once a day, as a reminder to myself, really. And no, it’s not up for debate. pic.twitter.com/DXYy4zHDSs
— Diaspora Decepticon. (@thewayoftheid) September 23, 2020
Walker dialled 911 to report his girlfriend had been shot, and was then arrested and charged with attempted murder of a police officer. The charges were dismissed after an outcry.
You can read more about her case here.
What Have People Said About The Decision?
Emotions have ranged from fury to heartbreak after the announcement, with some protesters sitting on the street crying after the decision.
People are slamming the decision and criticising the system that allowed it, with celebrities including Colin Kaepernick, LeBron James and Kentucky native George Clooney speaking out.
The white supremacist institution of policing that stole Breonna Taylor’s life from us must be abolished for the safety and well being of our people. #BreonnaTaylor #SayHerName #AbolishThePolice
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) September 23, 2020
Stop expecting justice from this system. Vote in better political leaders and change the system. As it stands now, the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is not held even close to equally by every American. The only way to change that is to change who governs us.
— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) September 23, 2020
George Clooney, Kentucky native, on the grand jury decision today on the #BreonnaTaylor case. pic.twitter.com/WYXLWKw1uY
— Nicole Sperling (@nicsperling) September 23, 2020
my love to Breonna mother, family and
friends! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!! 😔😔🥺🥺😢😢😢😭😭😭— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 24, 2020
Daniel Cameron is on Donald Trump’s short list as replacement of #RGB on the Supreme Court. The same man who decided to not charge the officers responsible for killing #BreonnaTaylor. Vote.
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) September 23, 2020
Praying for Breonna’s mother and family. Because they knew and loved her before her name became a hashtag.
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) September 23, 2020