Family demands release of evidence in Taylor case
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Breonna Taylor’s family demanded Friday that Kentucky authorities release body camera footage, police files and transcripts of grand jury proceedings that led to no charges being brought against police officers who killed the Black woman during a raid at her apartment.
The decision angered those who have called for justice for Taylor for six months, and protesters vowed to stay in the streets until all officers involved are fired or someone is charged with her killing.
A diverse group, including Taylor’s mother, marched through Louisville on Friday evening. The protests were peaceful, though at one point, police in riot gear fired flash bang devices to turn back a crowd on a street. Two were arrested, authorities said.
About a dozen people who were out past the city’s 9 p.m. curfew were arrested later.
Earlier, Taylor’s lawyers and family expressed dismay that no one has been held accountable for her death. Taylor’s lawyers said they have seen the evidence, and insisted there is much state Attorney General Daniel Cameron got wrong. They did not give specifics.
Taylor’s aunt read a statement on behalf of Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, saying the entire justice system failed her and Cameron was just the final person in the chain that included the officer who sought the noknock warrant, the judge who signed it, and the police who burst into her Louisville apartment. The warrant was connected to a suspect who did not live there, and no drugs were found inside.
Taylor was shot multiple times by white officers after her boyfriend fired at them, authorities said. He said he didn’t know who was coming in and opened fire in selfdefense, wounding one officer. Cameron said the officers were not charged with Taylor’s killing because they acted to protect themselves.
The grand jury indicted one officer for wanton endangerment for shooting into a neighboring apartment. No one was hurt.
At least 24 people were arrested in the Louisville protests Thursday.