According to the Gazette, Wednesday, September 23, 2020, the Kentucky grand jury has brought NO CHARGES against Louisville police for the killing of Breonna Taylor during a drug raid gone wrong. The grand jury instead charged fired Officer Brett Hankison, with three counts of wanton endangerment for firing into Taylor's neighbors' homes during the raid on March 13.
According to an article with NPR, dated January 6, 2021, two Louisville Police officers connected to Breonna Taylor's death have been fired. The article also revealed that the termination letters, signed by Interim Police Chief Yvette Gentry, said Detective Joshua Jaynes, who secured the warrant. The evidence in this case revealed a sustained untruthfulness violation based on information included in an affidavit completed and submitted to a judge. The letter said Cosgove, failed to operate his officer-worn body camera. He also fired 16 shots into Taylor's apartment, striking her twice. Since the shots fired went in three different directions, indicating he did not verify a threat or have target acquisition.
Both Cosgrove and Jaynes have been on paid leave in the months since the shooting and in late December received notification from Gentry that LMPD intended to sever their employment.
None of the officers who discharged their service weapons during the raid faces criminal charges for Taylor's death. It had been announced that Cosgrove, who fired the fatal shot, and another officer, Jonathan Mattingly, "were justified in their use of force"
In my opinion this is NOT justice. The officers were on paid leave (vacation) for more than six months. The did no jail time, they did not have to consider bail or bond. They blindly went in a citizen's home, with no announcement of their presence and no official police clothing, killing a innocent African America female.
This case exposed the wide gulf between public opinion on justice for those who kill Black Americans and the laws under which those officers are charged, which regularly favor working police and do not often result in steep criminal accusations.
We must continue to fight for justice. We must let our voices be heard. We must not be bought out, muzzled or crippled with fear. We must continue to enforce the law. We need to establish new policies and laws in our communities across the country.
*Officers receive "no pay" when under criminal investigation.
*New policies in regarding to No Knock Warrants.
* New stronger penalties that include financial consequences regarding body cameras not being on and Use of Force.
Forfeit a percentage of retirement funds with each indiscretion.