A second juror is speaking out about the the Breonna Taylor grand jury trail, saying they can confirm that murder charges were not brought up for the grand jury to consider. The anonymous juror released a statement Thursday (October 22) through Louisville's Glowgower law office. Glowgower is also representing the first anonymous juror that called for the proceedings to go public.
“The grand jury was only allowed to consider the three Wanton Endangerment charges against Detective [Brett] Hankinson,” the statement read. “No opportunity to consider anything else was permitted. Anonymous Grand Juror #2 agrees wholeheartedly with the statement released on behalf of Anonymous Grand Juror #1 on 10/20/2020 and is looking forward to continuing to help set the record straight.”
Louisville police officers executed a no-knock warrant at Taylor's residence on March 13. Kenneth Walker, Taylor's boyfriend, claims authorities didn't announce themselves and shot at them when they broke into her apartment. Officers returned fire, fatally shooting Taylor. A grand jury decided Sergeant Jon Mattingly and Det. Myles Cosgrove wouldn't be charged, while Hankison was charged for recklessly firing into neighboring apartments.
The first anonymous juror initially claimed no murder charges were on the table for the grand jury. Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron has argued the officers' actions were justified in their use of legal force and even sought to delay the release of the court proceedings. The two jurors have yet to be identified, and Jefferson Circuit Judge Annie O’Connell provided a caveat to her ruling, saying that they should be prepared to face the potential risk of exposure should they decide to go public.
Protests and demonstrations raged nationwide against racial injustice in response to Taylor's death, the killing of George Floyd in May, and other incidents. Her family settled a wrongful death lawsuit for $12 million with the City of Louisville. City leaders said the money will go towards reform and other initiatives.
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