UPDATE: Grand Jury indicts Only 1 Officer On Criminal Charges In Breonna Taylor Case
A decision has been made: Just six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in her own home in Kentucky, a grand jury has indicted just one officer on criminal charges.
RELATED: UPDATE: Breonna Taylor’s Family To Receive $12 Million Settlement From City Of Louisville
This Wednesday, the jury presented its decision against fired officer Brett Hankison on three counts of wanton endangerment — for firing recklessly and without due regard for life. His bail has been set at $15,000. Wanton endangerment carries a maximum penalty of 5 years if convicted.
As we previously reported, Taylor was shot multiple times by officers who burst into her home on March 13 during a narcotics investigation. NO drugs were found in her home. The indictment has already sparked anger from protestors in Louisville and Rev. Al Sharpton who called it “grossly insufficient.”
To note, the charges against Hankison are not directly for the death of Taylor but for endangering neighbors. The other two officers: Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove — who had already been placed on administrative reassignment but were still part of the force — have not been charged.
While speaking at a press confrence this afternoon, Kentucky Attorney General Daniele Cameron explained why the use of force by the officers were “justified.” Check out the clip here:
Kentucky AG Cameron: “According to Kentucky law, the use of force by Mattingly and Cosgrove was justified to protect themselves. This justification bars us from pursuing criminal charges in Ms. Breonna Taylor’s death.” pic.twitter.com/K6txNi9qyr
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) September 23, 2020
Ben Crump, attorney for the family of Breonna Taylor, was outraged after receiving the news. He tweeted:
“Jefferson County Grand Jury indicts former ofc. Brett Hankison with 3 counts of Wanton Endangerment in 1st Degree for bullets that went into other apartments but NOTHING for the murder of Breonna Taylor. This is outrageous and offensive! He added, “If Brett Hankison’s behavior was wanton endangerment to people in neighboring apartments, then it should have been wanton endangerment in Breonna Taylor’s apartment too. In fact, it should have been ruled wanton murder!”
If Brett Hankison's behavior was wanton endangerment to people in neighboring apartments, then it should have been wanton endangerment in Breonna Taylor's apartment too. In fact, it should have been ruled wanton murder!
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) September 23, 2020
Earlier, Louisville Metro Police Department announced a state of emergency effective in preparation for Cameron’s announcement on Wednesday. “To ensure we have the appropriate level of staffing to provide for public safety services and our policing functions, effective immediately the LMPD will operate under the emergency staffing and reporting guidelines,” said LMPD Interim Chief of Police Robert Schroeder on Monday.
Press Play Below For Full Coverage:
RELATED: LMPD Declares “State Of Emergency” In Preparation For Decision In Breonna Taylor Case