Louisville Police Officer Says Breonna Taylor Shooting Was ‘Not A Race Thing’

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Emergency medical technician Breonna Taylor, 26, was shot and killed by police in her home in March. Her name has become a rallying cry in protests against police brutality and social injustice.

Taylor Family

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Taylor Family

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Court Releases Grand Jury Recording In Breonna Taylor Case

Walker, a licensed gun owner, said the couple did not hear police announce before entering the home and mistook them as intruders. Walker said he fired a warning shot. Officers then returned fire.

Mattingly also vehemently denied that he is racist. The interview took place Montgomery, Ohio, about 115 miles northeast of Louisville.

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Kentucky AG Defends Role In Breonna Taylor Grand Jury Process

None of the three officers face state charges directly over Taylor’s death. Last month, a grand jury did not announce charges against Mattingly or Myles Cosgrove, the other officer who fired into Taylor’s home.

Both remain with the Louisville Metro Police Department on administrative reassignment.

Brett Hankison, a former officer who was terminated in June, was charged with three counts of wonton endangerment for shooting into one of Taylor’s neighbor’s apartments. He has pleaded not guilty.

On Tuesday, a Jefferson County circuit judge ruled that grand jurors in the case against Mattingly, Cosgrove and Hankison could speak freely about their views about how the secret proceedings were conducted.

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, who tried to block jurors from speaking out, said in a statement Tuesday, «I disagree with the Judge’s decision, but will not appeal it.

An anonymous juror released a statement Tuesday, alleging prosecutors failed to explain or pursue possible homicide offenses against Mattingly and the other two officers who fired weapons, according to member station WFPL in Louisville.

«The grand jury never heard anything about those laws, read the statement, which was signed «Anonymous Grand Juror #1, WFPL reported.

That appears to contradict statements made by Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron last month that the grand jury were presented several homicide offenses.

My statement on the Judge's decision today in the case involving the anonymous Grand Juror: pic.twitter.com/47mWaPzbah

— Attorney General Daniel Cameron (@kyoag) October 20, 2020

Federal investigators determined Mattingly fired six times, while Cosgrove fired 16 rounds, including the shot that killed Taylor, Cameron said during a Sept. 23 press conference.

An FBI investigation to determine if Taylor’s civil rights were violated is ongoing.