Breonna Taylor's family 'heartbroken' by grand jury proceedings

National civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump raises his fist at the press conference
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Luke O'Reilly25 September 2020

A civil rights lawyer representing Breonna Taylor's family said they were "heartbroken" after a grand jury decided against charging police officers with homicide in her death during a botched raid.

Ben Crump who helped Taylor's family win a $12 million settlement from the city of Louisville in a wrongful death lawsuit demanded that Kentucky's state attorney general release the evidence presented to the grand jury.

"Release the transcripts!" Ben Crump said, leading Taylor's relatives and others in a chant outside the grand jury building and questioning whether Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron presented the grand jury with enough evidence against the officers.

"There seems to be two justice systems in America. One for Black America and one for white America," Crump said.

Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old hospital worker, was shot and killed by police in March
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Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old hospital worker, was shot and killed by police in March and her death had become a rallying cry for activists demanding charges of murder or manslaughter.

Ms Taylor was shot multiple times by officers after her boyfriend Kenneth Walker fired at them. Mr Walker said he did not know who was coming in and opened fire in self-defence, wounding one officer.

A Kentucky grand jury has brought no charges against Louisville police for her killing. Prosecutors said Wednesday that two officers who fired their weapons at the Black woman were justified in using force to protect themselves.

Instead, the only charges brought by the grand jury were three counts of wanton endangerment against fired Officer Brett Hankison for shooting into Taylor's neighbors' homes.

Police entered on a warrant connected to a suspect who did not live there and no drugs were found inside.

State Attorney General Daniel Cameron said on Wednesday that the investigation showed officers acted in self-defence
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State Attorney General Daniel Cameron said on Wednesday that the investigation showed officers acted in self-defence. One officer who has already been fired was charged with firing into a neighbouring apartment.

A statement from Breonna Taylor's mother says her daughter was failed by a lack of investigation into her fatal shooting by Louisville police officers in March.

In a statement read by her sister at a Friday news conference, Tamika Palmer said she did not expect justice from Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron.

Protesters have taken to the streets around the country after the grand jury announced its decision Wednesday.

The FBI is still investigating whether Miss Taylor’s civil rights were violated.