Tag: justice for Breonna

65. The Defendant officers acted intentionally, knowingly, unreasonably, maliciously, negligently, recklessly, and in bad faith with deliberate indifference to the safety and rights of Breonna Taylor when they attempted to execute a warrant without the SWAT unit, proceeded with executing the warrant without probable cause, entered the home unannounced, entered the home without permission, entered the home without complying with the terms of the warrant, engaged in erratic gunfire and fired at Breonna, who was unarmed and posed no threat, in an intentional, erratic and deadly manner. These actions were objectively unreasonable.
…
69. The actions of the Defendant officers were made in bad faith, were performed with a corrupt motive, were outside the scope of the Defendants’ authority, were executed willfully and with the intent to harm, and were in violation of Breonna’s constitutional and statutory rights.
70. The Defendants knew or reasonably should have known that the actions taken would violate Breonna’s rights.
71. The Defendants’ actions were made with the malicious intention to cause a deprivation of Breonna’s constitutional rights.

Excerpts from a court filing with the Jefferson County [Kentucky] Circuit Court by the family of Breonna Taylor, against the three officers of the Louisville Metro Police Department responsible for her death on March 13. It is an utter travesty that this burden is falling on her grieving family, since state and local authorities refuse to seek justice for Breonna. The entire brief can be read here. I also recommend that you read Charles Pierce’s analysis in Esquire today, that points to likely collusion between LMPD and the Louisville real estate planning division in targeting Breonna’s neighborhood for excessive policing, in order to serve “a political need to clear out a street for a large real estate development project.” 

We are not going to strike foul blows in this case.  We are going to pursue the truth based on the law, whether that leads to convictions or exonerations.

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, from remarks at a press conference regarding the death of Breonna Taylor on June 18. The entire prepared remarks can be read here. They are a first-rate example of legal weasel-speak, and a masterful justification for official dithering. After more than 100 days of even halfhearted investigation there can hardly be any new facts to be gleaned: Breonna Taylor was wrongfully murdered in her sleep by officers of the Louisville Metro Police Department. The only remaining considerations must be entirely political in nature, justice for Breonna be damned. 

Demand justice for Breonna Taylor. Below are contact numbers and email addresses for Louisville and Kentucky officials. 

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer: Demands for justice can be made by calling Fischer’s office at (502) 574-2003 or by filling out the contact form on his site.

Louisville Metro Police Department: A contact form is available on the department’s site. A template is widely available as well as a submittable form that will automatically send an e-mail in your name.

Special Prosecutor Attorney General Daniel Cameron: Call 502-696-5300 or e-mail attorney.general@ag.ky.gov.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear: Call 502-564-2611.

Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney Thomas Wine: Call 502-595-2300 or e-mail winejcooke@louisvilleprosecutor.com.

Actions speak louder than words. Of all the cities dealing with the tragedies of officer-involved shootings and violence inflicted upon black lives, Louisville’s administration has been the least transparent, the slowest and the most frustrating. This administration simply believes it is above the law. Our administration in Louisville blatantly ignored our requests for an independent investigation. Here, our department continues to investigate itself, claims no video (while dodging the question of the existence video for any of the other 120 officers dispatched to the scene) and continues to allow plain clothes officers to execute warrants and conduct business as usual.

Attorneys for Breonna Taylor’s family, in a statement released to CBS/WLKY in Louisville. 

One of my little cousins said, “I don’t know what we’re gonna do now. ’Cause she’s the one who made sure everybody was together.” I’m like, “I don’t either.” Her friends call every single day and say, “Mom how’re you doing?” So many people are heartbroken. We’re not ready to even try to live.

Tamika Palmer, mother of Breonna Taylor, who would have celebrated her 27th birthday today, in an interview with New York Magazine / The Cut .

Breonna

was killed by police as she slept on March 13. Her murderers have not been charged or arrested. 

You can contact special prosecutor Daniel Cameron and demand action with full transparency and accountability at attorney.general@ag.ky.gov. You can find updates and additional information at www.justiceforbreonna.org.