A grand jury has indicted former Louisville police officer Brett Hankinson on three counts of endangerment in the first-degree murder of Breonna Taylor. The former officer immediately was criticized by demonstrators demanding more serious counts and arrests. The two other officers, Sgt. John Mattingly and Det. Myles Cosgrove were not charged. Kentucky’s Attorney General Daniel Cameron called the Taylor death ‘a gut-wrenching emotional case.’ Six months later, after Taylor’s death back in March, the charges were finally made! For months, protesters were upset and criticized the investigation’s length of time and demanding arrests of this “no-knock, no warrant” crime.
Photo Caption: Taylor’s mom reaction to the lawsuit settlement
Wednesday afternoon, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and Interim Police Chief Robert Schroeder announced a 72-hour countrywide curfew starting at 9 pm. All government buildings will be closed. Taylor’s death caused an outrage across the country and chants to arrest the officers. Her story has gained nationwide attention during demonstrations that followed the end of another African-American, George Floyd, who also died at a police officer’s hands. On September 15, 2020, the City of Louisville issued a historic $12 million settlement of the family’s wrongful death lawsuit.
