Judge Dismisses Charges Against Ex-Police Officers in the Death of Breonna Taylor, Faults Boyfriend

A Kentucky judge has dismissed the primary charges against two ex-police officers for their roles in death of Breonna Taylor. 

In March 2020, Breonna Taylor was shot and killed by plain-clothed Louisville police officers after a warrantless night raid on her home while she and her boyfriend were in bed sleeping. 

U.S. District Judge Charles Simpson III ruled that it was the actions of Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, which caused her death, not the actions of the now ex-officers.

Walker and Taylor thought someone was breaking into the house on the night of March 13th. They were awoken by the sound of the front door being broken down. Thinking there were burglars in the home, Walker shot into the darkness hitting one of the officers. In return, the officers shot 32 times, killing Taylor. 

"The Court finds that the warrantless entry was not the actual cause of Taylor’s death,” Judge Simpson’s decision stated. 

He continued, "The Court also concludes that the Death-Results charge requires proof of proximate cause and that allegations in this case show that the warrantless entry was not the proximate cause of Taylor’s death and even if it were, Walker’s decision to open fire is the legal cause of her death, it being a superseding cause."

Following Taylor’s death, it came to light that ex-Louisville Police Detective Joshua Jaynes and former Sgt. Kyle Meany had falsified a drug warrant request which prompted the deadly raid on Taylor’s home. 

In 2022, the two former officers were indicted by a federal grand jury for depriving Taylor of her constitutional rights. 

Now, thanks to Judge Simpson’s ruling, the felony civil rights violations will be reduced to misdemeanors. The charges around the false warrant and the officers lying during the investigation will still stand. 

Following Taylor’s death, Walker was arrested for shooting at officers and charged with attempted murder. The charges were eventually dropped and Walker received a $2 million settlement from the City of Louisville.

In a statement given to the Associated Press, Taylor’s family insists they intend to appeal Judge Simpson’s ruling, “Obviously we are devastated at the moment by the judge’s ruling with which we disagree and are just trying to process everything.”

“The only thing we can do at this point is continue to be patient. ... We will continue to fight until we get full justice for Breonna Taylor,” they said.

Taylor was shot to death by Louisville Police just months before George Floyd was choked to death by Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin. Taylor’s death became a catalyst for a nationwide movement against police brutality, which took off after Floyd’s murder. 

Is this justice?