Federal judge dismisses major felony charges against two former Louisville officers accused of falsifying warrant in Breonna Taylor case
US District Judge Charles Simpson has thrown out major felony charges against former Louisville officers Joshua Jaynes and Kyle Meany accused of falsifying a warrant that led to the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor. Judge Simpson ruled that Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, who fired a shot at police during the raid, was the legal cause of her death, not the bad warrant.
The ruling reduces the civil rights violation charges against Jaynes and Meany to misdemeanors, but a conspiracy charge against Jaynes and a charge against Meany of making false statements to investigators still stand. Walker initially faced charges of attempted murder but those were dropped as his attorneys argued he did not know he was firing at police.
The Justice Department is reviewing the judge’s decision and considering next steps. A third former officer, Kelly Goodlett, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and is expected to testify against Jaynes and Meany at their trials. Federal prosecutors alleged Jaynes and Goodlett falsified information about a suspected drug dealer receiving packages at Taylor’s apartment, leading to the fatal raid.
Breonna Taylor’s family expressed disappointment in the ruling but vowed to continue fighting for justice. A fourth former officer, Brett Hankison, is scheduled to be retried on charges of endangering Taylor, Walker, and neighbors by firing into Taylor’s windows during the raid. Walker’s actions were deemed the legal cause of Taylor’s death, according to the judge’s ruling.
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