Here comes a disappointing development in the prosecution (or lack thereof) of the cops whose actions led to a botched raid resulting in the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor back in 2020.
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Former Louisville detective Joshua Jaynes and former Louisville Sgt. Kyle Meany were accused of submitting an affidavit containing “false and misleading statements” to obtain probable cause to search Taylor’s home, according to a 2022 federal indictment. Therefore, the indictment alleged they placed Taylor in a dangerous situation knowing officers were going to target her home. Federal prosecutors also accused them of conspiring together to cover up their wrongdoings with more lies in a lame attempt to wiggle out of accountability for their scheme, per court documents.
However, in a Thursday ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Charles Simpson, it was decided that the actions of the two cops didn’t directly result in Taylor’s death.
“Based on the fact allegations and the Government’s argument, the Court finds that the warrantless entry was not the actual cause of Taylor’s death,” read the ruling. “Instead, the fact allegations and the Government’s argument compel the conclusion that Taylor’s death was proximately caused by the manner in which the warrant was executed. [Walker’s] decision to open fire, as alleged and argued, was the natural and probable consequence of executing the warrant at 12:45 a.m. on ‘an unsuspecting household.’ That decision prompted the return fire which hit and killed Taylor.”
The judge ordered a partial dismissal of their felony counts, having them reduced to misdemeanors and saving the two cops from a potential life sentence, according to court documents. However, the judge denied Jaynes’ request to have his conspiracy charge dismissed as well as Meany’s request to dismiss his charge for making a false statement to investigators.
Their stunt led a team of SWAT officers with the Louisville Police Department to pull up to Taylor’s home around 12 a.m. of March 13, 2020. Walker, Taylor’s boyfriend, stated previously in a lawsuit that he walked into the hallway after hearing bangs on the door but did not hear officers announce themselves. After an officer kicked the door in, Walker admitted to shooting them in the leg believing it was an intruder. The officers then sprayed bullets inside the home, striking Taylor multiple times, which was all caught on body camera video.
Though, the cops aren’t completely off the hook: Jaynes and Meany still await a trial date for their remaining counts. Jaynes faces a maximum of 40 years in prison while Meany faces five years if convicted.
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