Kentucky enacted limitations on no-knock warrants following nationwide protests and riots stemming from the death of Breonna Taylor, who was killed during a police raid in March 2020.
Gov. Andy Beshear on Friday signed Senate Bill 4, which prohibits no-knock warrants unless the subject is believed to be a violent offender, the officer has received clearance from the highest-ranking law enforcement authority in a respective agency, or the officers were given prior approval from the “Commonwealth’s attorney or county attorney.”
Warrants issued between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. are not banned under the legislation, but only SWAT teams or other advanced teams can enter a home without notice, so long as they comply with the stipulations and wear body cameras.
“I cannot know the depths of pain caused by systematic racism, but in my administration, we are committed to listening and continuing to act. I am signing Senate Bill 4 to help ensure no other mother knows Tamika Palmer’s grief at the loss of her daughter Breonna Taylor,” Beshear said in a statement. “This is meaningful change, and it will save lives.”
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT NO-KNOCK WARRANTS AND BREONNA TAYLOR’S DEATH
The legislation contains a section forbidding the admission of any evidence gained by police if it is gathered from a search warrant that did not comply with the “with applicable statutes” or it was obtained through “perjury” or “materially false” statements.
Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency medical technician, died March 13, 2020, in Louisville, Kentucky, after officers tried to gain entry to her home on a drug warrant.
The officers broke into the residence without identifying themselves as police, said Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker. Walker allegedly fired a shot at the officers, thinking that they were home intruders.
His shot struck Louisville Police Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly in the leg, and the officers allegedly returned fire with five of the shots, hitting Taylor. Former detective Brett Hankison was indicted in September 2020 on three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, while the other two policemen involved were not charged in the incident.
Taylor’s family was present at the signing of the bill, and their attorney said the bill is a “start” in the right direction.
“While it’s not the full legislation that they wanted in terms of a complete ban on no-knock warrants, they are satisfied that this is a start and a win in a deeply divided General Assembly,” lawyer Lonita Baker said.
Tears, sniffles and deep breaths felt across the room in multiple seats as #breonnataylor ‘s family stood next to @AndyBeshearKY as SB 4 was signed. No- knock warrants led to #BreonnaTaylor ‘s death. Today there are new limitations hoping to save lives. @wave3news pic.twitter.com/DEYUKYuHt5
— Phylicia Ashley (@pashleywave3) April 9, 2021
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Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron at the time said he would “review” search warrants in his state while “vigorously” prosecuting the criminal charges levied against Hankison.
“I believe conducting a top-to-bottom review of the search warrant process is necessary to determine if changes are required and to establish best practices,” Cameron said. “You have my word that I will also vigorously prosecute the criminal charges announced today. I can assure you that my team of prosecutors will continue to give this case their attention and time.”
