Breonna Taylor’s family attorney Ben Crump issued a scathing statement in response to a grand jury determining there was probable cause to indict a single officer involved in the death of Taylor — but not for her death.
Shortly after the decision was announced, Crump, who also represents the families of George Floyd and Jacob Blake, said the grand jury decision was “outrageous and offensive” to the family. The officer, former detective Brett Hankison, was charged with wanton endangerment for blindly shooting 10 shots into Taylor’s apartment, which could have placed residents in the neighboring apartment in danger.
“Jefferson County Grand Jury indicts former ofc. Brett Hankison with 3 counts of Wanton Endangerment in 1st Degree for bullets that went into other apartments but NOTHING for the murder of Breonna Taylor. This is outrageous and offensive!” Crump tweeted. “If Brett Hankison’s behavior was wanton endangerment to people in neighboring apartments, then it should have been wanton endangerment in Breonna Taylor’s apartment too. In fact, it should have been ruled wanton murder!”
Jefferson County Grand Jury indicts former ofc. Brett Hankison with 3 counts of Wanton Endangerment in 1st Degree for bullets that went into other apartments but NOTHING for the murder of Breonna Taylor. This is outrageous and offensive! pic.twitter.com/EarmBAhhuf
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) September 23, 2020
The 12 members of the grand jury charged Hankison with three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, which is designated as a Class D felony in the state of Kentucky. The state says an individual is charged with the crime when “under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, he wantonly engages in conduct which creates a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to another person.” The court issued a warrant for Hankison’s arrest and set a bond of $15,000. Louisville Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and Detective Myles Cosgrove, two officers who were also involved in the shooting, were not charged.
Prior to the announcement, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer declared a state of emergency order, setting a curfew at 9 p.m. in preparation for widespread protests and potentially violent riots. The Kentucky National Guard also arrived on the scene shortly after the announcement to protect the city from criminal activity alongside local and state police officers.
Earlier this month, the city of Louisville also settled a $12 million wrongful death lawsuit with Taylor’s family. The city also promised to enact greater police reform.
