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This week’s decision in the Breonna Taylor case was nothing short of shocking. By shocking, I am referring to the logic utilized to support the decision. After more than 180 days, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced the grand jury’s findings regarding the three officers involved in the Breonna Taylor murder. Despite the lengthy investigation, the grand jury received the case last Monday and concluded at noon on Wednesday of this week. It concluded that only one officer, Bret Hankison should be charged. As commentators all over the country are pointing out, there is something seriously “wrong in Denmark.” This conclusion set off a flurry of speculations about the AG’s motives and the nature of the grand jury process.
One of the most frustrating aspects of the charging process in the Taylor case is the charges were not causally related to the death of Taylor. They also seem to downplay the severity of the situation. Hankison was charged with first-degree wanton endangerment, which is a three degree felony punishable by up to 1 to 5 years in prison. This charge, however, focused not on the death of Breonna Taylor, but on how the officer’s actions impacted other neighbors in surrounding apartments. Bullets from Hankinson’s weapon were discharged into a neighboring unit containing a pregnant woman and a man and child. Adding insult to injury, Attorney General Cameron said the incident was not caused by a “no knock warrant.” Instead, Cameron stated the officers repeatedly announced their presence. He went further to suggest one neighbor heard this announcement. This claim has been subsequently disputed by attorneys for Breonna Taylor’s family, Kenneth Walker’s attorneys and journalists who interviewed residents of the apartment complex. They found twelve neighbors who heard no such announcement. And even if one neighbor heard the announcement is that enough to justify the entry and outcome.
Another troubling aspect of the investigation was the use of the self-defense statute. Cameron stated because the officers were fired upon as they entered Breonna Taylor’s residence by Kenneth Taylor, Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend, the officers had the right to defend themselves. What is puzzling here is the self-defense claim may apply to Mr. Walker, but is not applicable to Breonna Taylor. She was an innocent bystander. She was not armed and thus could not fire on the officers. The officers did not need to defend themselves against her because she was not a threat. So, firing on an unarmed woman in her own domicile resulting in her demise could not be self-defense. The AG and investigators would have us believe that Breonna Taylor’s life did not matter. She was simply collateral damage, and no one should be held responsible for her death. This is an outrageous conclusion by any reasonable standard.
Cameron kept referring to the rule of law, statutes under Kentucky law and upholding the law. One has to ask is exonerating three officers who collectively fired 32 bullets in an apartment killing an unarmed woman reflective of proper legal procedure. That is the question. If the charges presented and the news conference to explain those events represents the nature of these laws, then the whole scenario is problematic.
The reaction of Breonna Taylor’s relatives to the state’s investigation is completely understandable. Breonna Taylor’s mother Tamika Palmer issued a heart wrenching statement in response to AG Daniel Cameron. How do you defend not charging officers who execute a search which results in the death of a loved one? How does one file charges against one officer without holding anyone responsible for a murder? How do you respond to efforts to destroy the character of the deceased? How do you conclude the search was not predicated on a no knock warrant, and only one neighbor, supposedly heard the police announce their presence? How do you make the comment that Taylor died instantly from her wounds to deflect from the fact no medical assistance was rendered or ambulatory service available? These are deeply perplexing and troubling questions.
The long march for social justice from Emmett Till to Breonna Taylor continues. We must continue to fight for an end to “wanton” police brutality in our communities. An end to no knock warrants nationwide not just in Louisville and shot first and ask questions later. We must reform a criminal justice system comprised of secret grand juries and skewed presentations designed to acquit the guilty and assassinate the character of the innocent. We must continue to fight for Breonna Taylor and the countless victims of police brutality. We must be willing to continue our protests Until Justice Comes.