S9:E9: The Senseless Murder of Breonna Taylor (26) "Fatal Entry"

Louisville, Kentucky—  On March 13, 2020, 26-year- old Breonna Taylor was killed in her apartment when plainclothes officers from the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) executed a botched "no-knock" search warrant as part of a drug investigation. Believing intruders were entering the apartment, Breonna’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, fired a warning shot, which struck Officer Jonathan Mattingly in the leg. In response, Officers Mattingly, Brett Hankison, and Myles Cosgrove discharged a total of 32 rounds into the apartment. Breonna was hit six times and died at the scene, though Kenneth was unharmed. 

You know her name. 

You’ve seen the nationwide outrage over her death.

But…Justice for Breonna Taylor is still ongoing and the fight continues. 

Listen to Season 9: Episode 9: to find out the ongoing legal battles in this case and the push for police reform. 

RIP - Breonna Taylor 🕯️🙏🕊️ - Gone but Never Forgotten

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Transcript

SPEAKER_14 0:00

This podcast contains graphic details which may be disturbing to some listeners, but no discretion is advised. I'm Chintal B and welcome back to the show. Today we are delving into a case that sparked nationwide protests, and a case that led to major legal battles and forced cities across the United States to reconsider police policies. You've heard her name before. This is the heartbreaking story of Brianna Taylor, a young woman whose death raised questions about police accountability, no knock warrants, and the use of force during the execution of police warrants. We know that in the Brianna Taylor case the question has remained How does a late night no knock warrant turn into one of the most deadly police cases in modern history? But in the early morning hours of march thirteenth, twenty twenty, the world was in the throes of the COVID nineteen pandemic, and twenty six year old Brianna Taylor was inside her apartment in Louisville, Kentucky when police officers forced entry into her home during a narcotics investigation. Within moments of that warrant, gunfire erupted inside the apartment. More than thirty two rounds were fired by police. By the end of the night, Brianna Taylor, who was a former healthcare worker, with dreams of becoming a nurse, had lost her life inside the place where she should have felt safest. But as details begin to emerge, the case quickly grew, becoming part of a national conversation about justice and police reform. What we're going to delve into is what exactly happened that night and why did this case continue to draw national attention years later. But before we get into the tragic details of this case, we must first honor Brianna Taylor's life. Brianna Taylor was born on june fifth, nineteen ninety three in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Born to Tamika Palmer and Troy Harriet. Brianna spent her early childhood surrounded by family who described her as a kind, respectful, and focused child who always did well in at school. During Brianna's early years, she developed a reputation as someone who was not only responsible, but who was mature for her age and determined to build a good future for herself. Brianna Taylor's upbringing played an important role in shaping her strong sense of discipline and independence. And in 2008, Brianna moved with her mother and younger sister to Louisville, Kentucky. This is where she would spend most of her teenage years, but also the place where she began working towards her long term goal of entering the healthcare field. But after settling in Louisville, Brianna attended Western High School, where she quickly adapted to her new environment. Making that transition from Michigan to Kentucky was seamless for Brianna, and she was known for taking her education seriously. And Brianna remained committed to achieving a good academic standing. Back in twenty eleven, Brianna Taylor graduated as an honor student, which showed her dedication to not only her studies, but a particular interest in mathematics. Now this was a subject that she enjoyed because of its structure and logic. Brianna was described as a natural born leader, someone who remained calm under pressure, confident and focused even when faced with challenges. Brianna's teacher saw her as a student with strong potential and a clear desire to succeed in life. Brianna Taylor was on the right path and she carved out a life for herself. Following her graduation from high school, Brianna briefly continued her education at the University of Kentucky. This reflected her desire to improve her educational opportunities. Brianna later decided to pursue a more practical path that would allow her to begin working while still building her healthcare career. Brianna chose the medical field because she wanted to help people in meaningful ways. She eventually trained and became an EMT, which is an emergency medical technician. Now this role required both technical knowledge and emotional strength. To be an EMT, you have to be able to see people at different stages of life. Her decision to become an EMT also showcased her willingness to take on responsibility in the environment that required quick thinking but also compassion for others. Brianna gained experience working as an emergency room technician at Jewish East Medical Center, where she was assigned in providing care to patients in urgent situations. Now the EMT job requires patience, careful attention, and the ability to remain composed under pressure. Brianna worked as a practicing registered nurse for Norton Healthcare as well, continuing to build her experience in the healthcare field. Brianna had dreams of becoming a full time nurse and each step she took brought her closer to this path. Her work reflected commitment to building a stable and meaningful career centered on helping others. Brianna was in a relationship with her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, and the couple lived together in Louisville. Their home environment reflected routine, but also stability. Brianna balanced her professional responsibilities with her personal life, and she focused on maintaining steady progress in her career while also building a future with someone she trusted. Friends and family described her as someone who valued loyalty, consistency, and personal growth. She was seen as a person who kept her life structured and organized. Brianna was living that structured and peaceful life, focused on her career path and personal development, but also her relationship with Kenneth that was clearly flourishing. She had found her person and she had a clear ambition on steadily working towards becoming a nurse. Brianna's daily routine reflected discipline and determination, and those close to her, they believed that she was on a positive path and had many opportunities ahead of her. Brianna was moving forward in her life with confidence that she was living her dream life, working to become a nurse, she was in a relationship with the love of her life, but Brianna was unaware that the events beyond her control would soon bring an unexpected and tragic change to her future. So in the early morning hours of March 13th, 2020, officers from the Louisville Metro Police Department arrived at Brianna Taylor's apartment to carry out a search warrant connected to her narcotics investigation. What investigators believe was that a man suspected of drug activity had previously used Brianna's address to receive packages. But inside the apartment, Brianna Taylor and her boyfriend Kenneth Walker were at home during these late night hours. But according to Kenneth, the sudden noise at the door caused them both a great alarm, and he believed that someone was attempting to break into the apartment, not fully understanding who was outside. Now Kenneth reacted to what he believed was a break-in. The situation escalated quickly, and as the confusion and fear setting, the officers did not announce themselves. Kenneth was left with the conclusion that someone was entering the apartment, but as officers entered that apartment, Kenneth Walker discharged a single shot from a licensed firearm. Now that bullet struck one of the officers in the leg. Following that gunshot, the officers responded by firing multiple rounds into the apartment. Those officers discharged more than thirty-two rounds during the exchange of fire. The entire sequence of events unfolded within mere seconds, creating a chaotic and dangerous environment inside the residence, not only for Brianna Taylor and her boyfriend Kenneth Walker, but the other residents who were in their apartments as well. During the gunfire, Brianna Taylor was struck multiple times, and when the shooting stopped, Brianna was found lying on the floor, and she was unresponsive. The situation inside that apartment escalated so quickly that Kenneth Walker could not wrap his mind around what was happening. Despite the presence of two people inside that apartment, Kenneth Walker was the only one that fired a single shot. While officers returned fire numerous times, the scene sadly reflected the severity of the encounter and the speed at which these events had unfolded. But immediately after that gunfire, Brianna Taylor's boyfriend Kenneth Walker placed an emergency nine one call where he informed the operator that someone had forced entry into their apartment and that shots had been fired. Kenneth sounded distress as he explained that he believed that there were intruders that were trying to enter their home. But at the same time, the officers at the scene requested emergency medical assistance through the police radio communications after securing the apartment. Now Kenneth Walker was not hurt during the shooting, and he later surrendered to the police. When officers conducted a search of the apartment, they reported finding no illegal narcotics inside the residence. Despite efforts by medical personnel, Brianna Taylor was pronounced dead at the scene, bringing a sudden and tragic end to a night that began without warning. Let's take a listen to that 911 call.

SPEAKER_08 12:44

I don't know what the hell is somebody in the door inside my girlfriend. Okay, where are you located? Okay, three zero zero three three zero number four. I crazy. Yeah, just get down. Our glass door is shattered and I understand there's something going on, but I have a five year old in here.

SPEAKER_14 15:32

So in the aftermath of the shooting, Kenneth Walker was arrested and charged with attempted murder and first degree assault. Now according to the officers, they stated that they had clearly announced their presence before entering Brianna Taylor's apartment. What authorities allege was that Kenneth fired his weapon first at striking one of the officers in the leg. Now based on this claim, the investigators initially treated Kenneth as the person responsible for initiating the gunfire during the encounter that ultimately led to Brianna Taylor's death. Kenneth Walker was held in custody but was later sent home from jail due to concerns related to the COVID nineteen pandemic. Now he was placed under house arrest where he remained for a period of time while the investigation continued. Kenneth and his legal counsel strongly disputed the charges against him, maintaining that he believed someone was unlawfully entering the apartment the night of the incident. Now his legal team argued that Kenneth acted in self defense under the belief that there were unknown intruders breaking into the apartment. Brianna Taylor's family pursued legal action by filing a wrongful death lawsuit on her behalf. Now the lawsuit allege that the officers involved in the raid had acted improperly and that their actions directly led to Brianna Taylor's death. And according to that filing, the officers arrived in unmarked vehicles. They were dressed in plain clothing, which is common for narcotics investigations. However, the family argued that the officers did not clearly identify themselves before entering that apartment by force, creating confusion for Kenneth and Brianna. The lawsuit also raised concerns that the officers involved were not wearing body cameras during this operation. Brianna's family and legal representatives argued the lack of body camera footage made it difficult to verify the sequence of events that took place inside Brianna's apartment. The legal claim further stated that Kenneth Walker's response was reasonable under the circumstances, as he believed that the individuals unknown to him were forcing their way into the apartment. The lawsuit argued that the law enforcement officers should take precautions to prevent situations that could result in harm to innocent individuals inside their own home. Brianna Taylor's family maintained that the circumstances surrounding the execution of the warrant created an unnecessary risk that Brianna Taylor had not been accused of any crime connected to the investigation that led officers to her apartment that night following the incident. Three officers directly involved in the No Knock Warrant Raid were placed on administrative leave while an independent investigation was conducted. What authorities began doing was reviewing the actions taken during this operation. Now that would include the decision to execute the search warrant and also the events that led to the exchange of gunfire. The investigation aimed to determine whether department policies were followed and whether any violations had occurred during the incident that resulted in Priyanna Taylor's death. And the body cam footage became the central focus of the investigation. Let's take a listen to that footage.

SPEAKER_11 22:14

Take the baby.

SPEAKER_10 22:21

Take that risk, dude. Take the risk.

SPEAKER_09 22:27

Make it up. Make up.

SPEAKER_14 22:30

Following the tragic death of Breonna Taylor, public outrage grew quickly, not only in Louisville, Kentucky, but across the United States. Many people expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the incident and called for greater transparency in how the operation was actually carried out. Community members, activists, and organizations began organizing demonstrations to demand some type of accountability and answers regarding the event that led to her death. The case quickly drew national attention and became widely discussed in media report and public forum. Large gatherings took place at Jefferson Square Park, which became a central location for protests and for memorials for Brianna Taylor. Demonstrators gathered daily, bringing signs and candles and photographs to honor Brianna's life. The park became a place where community members expressed their grief and called for justice. People from different backgrounds enjoyed the demonstration, reflecting the widespread impact that this case had on the public. Brianna Taylor's case became part of a broader nationwide demonstration where many individuals raised concerns regarding police practices and the need for police reform. Protesters called for criminal charges to be filed against the officers involved in the incident. Many also demanded an end to the use of no-not warrant, arguing that such practices could increase the risk of dangerous confrontation. But in lowable protests continued for several nights in the downtown area, where government buildings and nearby businesses were affected by the ongoing protest. And as public concern increases, city officials were faced with growing pressures to respond to the demand raised by the community. The intensity of these demonstrations reflected the strong public reaction to the case and to the desire for the case. But as the attention remained focused on the incident, the city officials announced administrative changes within the police department. One of the officers involved in the operation was dismissed from the department, and leadership changes followed within the police administration. But in response to the public outcry, local lawmakers introduced new legislation known as Cabriana's Law, which banned the use of no-knock warrants within the city of Louisville. Despite these developments, many protesters stated that further action was still necessary. The protests reflected ongoing concerns regarding public safety policies and the importance of ensuring that similar incidents would be prevented in the future. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_19 26:47

Good morning to you, Trevor.

SPEAKER_18 26:49

The activists here in Louisville said they want to make this city as uncomfortable as possible. They're going to keep protesting until they get justice for Brianna Taylor. And they have the support of thousands of demonstrators all across America who continue to protest and take to the streets. Police making arrests, the protest stretching coast to coast. From New York City, where demonstrators marched on the Brooklyn Bridge, hundreds taking part in a sit-down protest to California, where in Oakland crowds of protesters throwing bottles and cans clashed with police, and in Sacramento, protesters there also demanding justice. Violence in Albuquerque, New Mexico, too. This car driving through an intersection that was blocked by protesters. Brianna's mother taking to Twitter overnight saying, I hope you never know the pain of your child being murdered 194 days in a row. In Louisville on Friday, Brianna's family speaking out with their first public comment since that grand jury decision. Her mother, Tamika Palmer, too emotional to speak. Instead, Brianna's Aunt Bianca reading a statement wearing Brianna's EMT jacket.

SPEAKER_02 28:17

I was reassured Wednesday of why I have no faith in the legal system, in the police, and the law that are not made to protect us black and brown people.

SPEAKER_18 28:26

Flanked by activists, attorneys, and the father of Jacob Blake, the man shot in the back by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, ain't going nowhere. We will not be moved. The family demanding the release of the grand jury transcript, launching a blistering critique of Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron.

SPEAKER_01 28:45

How insulting was it? Oh, the indictment that Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron didn't mention her name one time. You are a coward!

SPEAKER_06 28:58

You are a cellar war! You are used by the system!

SPEAKER_18 29:03

Brianna Taylor's autopsy confirmed she died of multiple gunshot wounds in that police raid of her apartment back in March. The grand jury ruling the shooting was justified because Taylor's boyfriend had fired first. Kentucky Representative Attica Scott, the state's only black female legislator, has now proposed Brianna's law, which would ban no-knock warrants. This week Scott and her daughter, among the more than a hundred people arrested while protesting in downtown Louisville.

SPEAKER_20 29:34

Stop it. You're making enemies out of the people who pay you to protect and serve them.

SPEAKER_18 29:39

And Kentucky Governor Andy Bashir is also urging the release of the grand jury transcripts. He wants the people to have all the facts, but the State Attorney General Daniel Cameron says he's not going to release them or any of the evidence, at least right now, because of a pending trial and an ongoing FBI investigation. Janae.

SPEAKER_14 30:16

What authorities examined was the circumstances surrounding the search work. Then they had to look at the execution of the operation and the exchange of gunfire that led to Brianna's death. The case remained under close review as public attention continued to grow in the nationwide. On every major news network, Brianna Taylor's story was broadcast to everyone who said her name. But in September 2020, a Louisville grand jury reviewed the evidence gathered during that investigation. And following those proceedings, former officer Brett Hankerson was charged with wanton endangerment, which implies that there is reckless disregard without justification. Now the charge was related to the risks posed to neighboring residents who were in the apartment at the time. The charge was related to the risks posed to neighboring residents during the discharge of multiple rounds into Tibrianna's apartment. The charge was not directly related to the killing of Kabriana Taylor. The prosecutors stated that some of the shots fired by police entered nearby apartments, creating a potential danger for those inside the building. Further developments occurred in 2022 when federal prosecutors announced additional charges after conducting a civil rights investigation into the case. Now the investigation focused on how the search warrant had been obtained and whether there was accurate information that had been presented through that process. What authorities examined was whether any false or misleading statements had influenced the approval of the No Knock warrant that allowed officers to enter Brianna's apartment. Detective Joshua James was charged with falsifying information that was used to obtain that search warrant. The federal authorities also brought civil rights violation charges, stating that the inaccurate information may have played a role in the approval of the No-K warrant. The investigators reviewed communications and supporting documents connected to the warrant request, and detective Kelly Goodlitt was also charged in connection with the investigation. Now authorities allege that she was involved related to false statements connected to the warrant process. The federal prosecutor stated that the charges were based on findings that the information presented during the application process for the No-Not warrant may not have accurately reflected the facts of the investigation. There was no actual information that there were any type of drug activity in Brianna Taylor's home. And according to those findings, their actions were considered legally justified under Kentucky law, which governs the use of force in situations where there is a perceived threat. Legal proceedings continued, and they examined the actions taken before and during the operation that resulted in Brianna Taylor's death.

SPEAKER_16 34:12

Major new developments in the deadly police shooting of Brianna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, the Justice Department today leveling federal charges against four current and former officers connected with her death. Among the charges, officers are accused of falsifying documents to obtain the search warrant of her home where she was shot and killed. Then they're accused of lying to cover it up. ABC's Faith Abu Bay, reporting tonight from Louisville.

SPEAKER_04 35:00

Prosecutors State Sergeant Cal Meaney and detectives Joshua James and Kelly Goodlit knew the search warrant lacked probable cause. And they say those two detectives later conspired to cover up their lies, allegedly meeting in a garage to come up with a false story for investigators.

SPEAKER_12 35:17

We alleged that the defendants knew their actions in falsifying the affidavit could create a dangerous situation.

SPEAKER_04 35:23

Prosecutors say the officers who executed the warrant at Taylor's home knew nothing about the false affidavit. And when Taylor's boyfriend mistook police for an intruder firing a shot from his registered gun in self-defense, officers opened fire, killing the 26-year-old EMT. Former officer Brett Hankison, who was acquitted on state charges for firing into a neighbor's apartment, today charged with excessive force for firing 10 shots through a window and sliding glass door in Taylor's home.

SPEAKER_12 35:52

Brianna Taylor should be alive today.

SPEAKER_04 35:57

Taylor's death and the murder of George Floyd sparking protests across the country.

SPEAKER_06 36:14

What we've been saying on day one, y'all learning what we've been saying was the truth. That they shouldn't have been there and that Brianna didn't deserve that.

SPEAKER_14 36:38

Kenneth Walker later spoke publicly regarding the events of that night and the impact the incident had on his life. Kenneth explained that he and Brianna were inside their apartment when they were suddenly awakened by loud banging at the door. And the situation was alarming. But according to Kenneth, he did not clearly hear anyone identify themselves as a police officer. He stated that both he and Brianna were frightened and unsure of what was happening outside their home. Kenneth explained that the repeated banging made them believe that someone was attempting to force entry into the apartment. The uncertainty of the moment created him as he and Brianna were trying to understand who was at the door and why someone would attempt to enter their residence at that hour. Kenneth stated that he asked who was at the door, but did not receive a response that would clearly identify the individuals outside. Kenneth was concerned about the possibility of a break-in. He said he retrieved his legally owned fire. And this was in an attempt to protect himself and to bring up. But according to his account, the situation unfolded quickly. And when the door was breached by police, he fired a single gunshot shortly after the gunfire. Kenneth placed that 911 call, telling the operator that someone had broken into the apartment. And the call reflected the confusion and the fear that he described during the incident. In later interviews and legal statements, Kenneth explained that the events of that night caused significant emotional trauma and permanently changed his life. His legal team maintained that Kenneth acted in himself to defense based on his belief that he and Brianna were facing an unknown danger. Because it provided not only insight into his understanding of the events that occurred, but also his statements were later considered during legal proceedings, and the charge of attempted murder against him were ultimately dismissed. Let's take a listen to his account.

SPEAKER_07 39:27

Welcome back to CBS This Morning. We have an exclusive interview with Brianna Taylor's boyfriend. His name is Kenneth Walker. Now he was with Taylor when she was killed by Louisville police officers on March 13th. He told us that they were in bed watching a movie when police raided the apartment as part of a narcotics investigation. We should point out that Kenneth Walker and Brianna Taylor do not have a criminal history, and no illegal drugs were found in that home.

SPEAKER_15 40:04

More than a girlfriend, too. I think that's what I want the world to know the most. Several times, both of us. And there's no response.

SPEAKER_07 40:49

You know, the police say that they said several times, it's the police.

SPEAKER_15 40:53

If they knock on the door and say who it was, we can we can hear them. It's dead silent. I'm a million percent sure that nobody identified themselves.

SPEAKER_07 41:01

So the next thing you hear, the door flies off the hinges. Are you feeling afraid?

SPEAKER_15 41:06

Definitely afraid. But I don't have much room to be afraid because I got somebody here that I gotta take care of.

SPEAKER_07 41:12

So you hear the heavy knocking, and what do you do?

SPEAKER_15 41:14

So now at that point we're getting up to put on clothes, make ourselves decent to answer the door. Then I grabbed my gun.

SPEAKER_07 41:20

We should also say you were licensed to carry the gun.

SPEAKER_15 41:23

For sure. That's the one time I had to use it. And if it was the police at the door and they just said we're the police, New York Brown didn't have a reason at all not to open the door and see what they wanted. So the doors, the doors fly off the hinges. I'm I'll let out one shot, and you know, I'm figuring if somebody's trying to break in or something, they're not gonna want to do anything after that. And after that, what happens? I don't think I've ever heard so many gunshots like all at the same time. I've never been to war, but I assume that's what war sounds like.

SPEAKER_07 41:55

One officer fired six shots, Officer Mattingly, Officer Cosgrove fired 16 shots, Officer Hankinson fired 10 shots. That is a lot of firepower.

SPEAKER_15 42:06

I still try to make sense of it to this day. There's definitely there's definitely nowhere to hide. Bullets coming in every direction.

SPEAKER_07 42:12

When did you realize that Brianna had been shot?

SPEAKER_15 42:15

I guess in the in the middle of all the gunfire, like she screamed. Like I was holding her hand. You were holding her hand? Yeah, like while this was happening, I pulled her down to the ground. But you know, she was just scared, so she just didn't get down.

SPEAKER_07 42:28

So in the middle of all of this, you realize that she's been hit. Was she alive at the time?

SPEAKER_15 42:34

She she was. Still the gunfire stopped. She was like bleeding and stuff, and I was holding her. No, then that's when I called my mom. You called your mom first. Yeah, I told her that somebody just kicked in the door and shot me out. And she's she's freaking out at this point, but she told me to call 911, so I did. While you're on the phone, you don't know it's the police. I didn't know it was the police when I even proceeded to tell 911 that, you know, somebody just kicked in the door and shot my girlfriend. If I knew who it was, I would have said the police. I wouldn't been calling the police. On the police. Like, that doesn't even make sense. But in the midst of me talking to 911, I'm like, well, Brianna's mama should know about this too. I hung up on them and I caught her mama.

SPEAKER_07 43:24

The police shouldn't come rushing in?

SPEAKER_15 43:26

Not at all. I don't think I realized that it was the police until I was on the phone with Brianna's mama here like people outside talking. I thought they was, you know, coming for help because I called now. So you think they're coming to help you? Yes. So when I come outside, there's guns pointed at me. I'm being threatened with dogs and whatever else. The officer asked me, was I hit by any bullets? I said no. He said that's unfortunate. So that threw me off too. So I'm like, what's he mean by that?

SPEAKER_07 43:56

That's unfortunate, he said to you, after you've just lost your girlfriend and you don't. What is happening? What did you think when you said that?

SPEAKER_15 44:02

I didn't know what to think. I really wasn't worried about me. The only reason I'm even out here is because the only way for her to get help in there is for me to be out here. I was in the back of the car. I got drug all the way down the street. It was cold. It was wet. I haven't wearing socks and shoes on gravel rocks and everything. They were just dragging me like a head scab and stuff on my feet from that. When they take you to the police station, still no socks and shoes. Still no socks and shoes. When we finally left the scene, we pulled over in like a random parking lot on Manslick, which is the street, like at the bottom of the hill down the street from Bianca's apartment. And another officer in an unmarked car, and he wasn't in uniform and stuff, and he came to my window. But his tone was way different than everybody else's who was just on the scene.

SPEAKER_07 44:46

How so? Different how?

SPEAKER_15 44:47

He told me that this was a that this was a misunderstanding, and we're gonna get to the bottom of it and asking me, did I need anything? Did I need water and this and that? Then when I got to the police headquarters or whatever it was, they took the handcuffs off me and everything. I was walking around, I went to the bathroom. When you get there, so clearly y'all know something's wrong.

SPEAKER_07 45:21

Because you don't You were allowed to move freely.

SPEAKER_15 45:23

Yeah, you don't allegedly shoot at a shoot a police officer and they take hand the handcuffs off you.

SPEAKER_07 45:29

Were you surprised to hear that you were accused of shooting a police officer?

SPEAKER_15 45:32

I guess it was surprised. But I was more concerned about is he okay and is Brianna okay? At this point, I still didn't even know if she was alive or not.

SPEAKER_07 45:41

So when did officers tell you you were gonna be charged with attempted murder? When did you hear that?

SPEAKER_15 45:46

Maybe like five or six in the morning that same night. What did you think? I was worried about if Brianna was okay or not.

SPEAKER_07 45:54

When were you finally told that Brianna didn't make it?

SPEAKER_15 45:58

I never really got told, like directly. I saw it on the news.

SPEAKER_07 46:03

That's how you heard Brianna Taylor died on the news?

SPEAKER_15 46:06

Pretty much. And I was in the cell and it was like on the news, and it said one, you know, female dead that confirmed it. I didn't know for sure what condition, you know, she was in when I left. So I didn't know what they did, man. As these body cam videos are still coming out, I see they did nothing. They're still like casing the apartment with her land right there on the ground.

SPEAKER_10 46:29

Now the crime scene. Let's go ahead and move out. All right, she's done. Disrespectful.

SPEAKER_07 46:35

Do you think if you had not survived this incident, that we would be hearing the story that we're hearing today, if you would not survived it?

SPEAKER_15 46:44

Definitely not. That wouldn't, that wouldn't be a story. You you probably wouldn't even know about it. If I didn't live, you probably wouldn't even know about Brianna Taylor.

SPEAKER_07 46:53

Breonna Taylor or Kenny Walker?

SPEAKER_15 46:55

Or Kenny Walker. I don't want everybody knowing about Kenny Walker at all. As long as everybody knows Breonna Taylor.

SPEAKER_07 47:00

And what do you want us to know about Brianna Taylor?

SPEAKER_15 47:03

She would have done anybody. She took care of a lot of people. So a lot of people didn't need her bad right now. Including me.

SPEAKER_14 47:11

So in the months following Breonna Taylor's death, the Louisville Metro Council voted unanimously to ban. Now supporters of the change argued that they actually agree.

SPEAKER_00 48:53

Today, the city of Louisville, Kentucky said it will pay its largest settlement ever in a police misconduct case.$12 million will go to the family of Brianna Taylor, the young African-American woman who was shot to death by police in her home in March. The city is also pledging new police reforms. CBS Adrika Duncan is in Louisville tonight.

SPEAKER_01 49:13

Thank you, Mayor Fisher, Attorney Mike O'Connor, to the Louisville Metro Council, to Tamika Palmer. As I sit and look at her and Bianca, my heart is filled because with Lanita, Sam, and I, we have become like family. And it has been so long getting to this day where we could assure that Brianna Taylor's life wouldn't be swept under the rug like so many other black women in America who have been killed by police, marginalized. I'm grateful to the actions of the city of Louisville today. And it is not just the historic$12 million settlement, which, as I understand, is the largest amount ever paid out for a black woman in a wrongful death killed by a police in America. And it may be the largest amount ever paid for a black person in a police shooting. We're still trying to verify that. And it is certainly one of the largest amounts ever paid out for any person in the way of settlement in a police killing in America. The comprehensive reform that the Louisville Metro Council and Mayor Fisher put forth is equally important because this is about setting a precedence when this black woman who had been killed in her own apartment by this no-knock warrant, they were very concerned that nobody cared. Nobody cared about this black woman. Nobody cared about Tamika's baby. And that's when I started calling everybody I know to say that black women's lives matter too. I remember calling Reverend Al Sharner saying, can I come on your show? I remember calling Ricky Smiley saying, can I get on your radio show, your national radio show? I called Tamika Mallory and my son and her team at Until Freedom. I called Senator Kamala Harris. I mean, I I was saying to anybody who would listen, Brianna Taylor Life Matters. And Senator Kamala Harris was the first national elected official to go on national television and to say her name, Brianna Taylor. I called Tesla Figaro and Charlemagne and everybody to say we cannot let her life be swept under the rug from all of these individuals and so many others, especially the activists who came and was on the ground here in Louisville saying that we won't let Brianna Taylor's life be swept under the rug. And thank God with what has happened today, Mayor Fisher, not just with the historic amount, but equally important with the reform that Attorney Bacon, Attorney O'Connor spoke of, it sets the precedence for other black women that their lives won't be marginalized, that they will be valued. Lives like Sandra Bland, lives like Pamela Turner in Baytown, Texas, lives like seven-year-old Ayanna Stanley in Detroit, who also was killed as a result of a dangerous no-knock warrant. Because we have to speak truth to power when we get an opportunity. And these dangerous no-knock warrants are disproportionately executed against black people in America. And so I'm very happy that the Metro Council also stood united with Tamika Palmer to pass Brianna's law to abolish these dangerous no-not warrants because it was foreseeable who was most being put in danger with these no-not warrants. And so I want to point out very significant what happened in Louisville here today, and representing George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Pamela Turner in Baytown, Texas, right outside of Houston, Terrence Crutcher in Toast, Oklahoma, Botham Jones in Dallas, Texas, Joseph Richardson in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and so many other names of black people who have been killed by police in America. From that day to this one, we have been dealing with systematic racism and oppression that have killed us inside and outside the courtroom. So it is worth noting that in all those other cities, there has not been responsive, comprehensive, and systematic reform that has occurred in Louisville, Kentucky, to Mika Palmer in the name of Brianna Taylor. But regardless of this landmark step on the journey to justice, we still are demanding that Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron bring charges immediately against the police officers that murdered Brianna Taylor. Justice delayed is justice denied.

SPEAKER_14 55:23

In the years following the incident, legal proceedings continued as the courts reviewed the actions of the officers involved. Related to those events on March 13th of 2020. Years after the initial incident. Showing the lasting impact of the shooting. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_17 59:08

Federal prosecutors have asked a judge to drop charges against two former officers tied to the raid that led to the deadly shooting of Brianna Taylor. The Louisville, Kentucky officers are accused of falsifying the warrant used to enter Taylor's apartment in 2020. And joining us now is Brianna Taylor's mother, Tamika Palmer, and family attorney Lanita Baker. Thank you both so much for joining us. Tamika, just want to start with your reaction when you heard that the DOJ wants charges dismissed altogether. Confused and mad? Understood. And Lanita judges have already reduced the charges twice for each officer. What do you know about why prosecutors are moving to dismiss the charges?

SPEAKER_05 59:48

We know absolutely nothing about why they are moving to dismiss the charges. They did not communicate that with Ms. Palmer until Friday, probably an hour before the motion was filed. So we have no information about why they are they made the motion to dismiss. But what we do know is that Joshua James is guilty of lying to secure a search warrant, and Haig and Joshua Meaney and Miss Goodlitt, Kelly Goodlitt, who's already played guilty, did work to cover up what happened. And so they are guilty of a crime and they should be held accountable. And it's very disappointing and disingenuous for the Department of Justice to dismiss these charges.

SPEAKER_17 1:00:30

And Tamika, an attorney for former Detective Joshua Jane, said that they are, quote, elated with this development. Former Sergeant Kyle Meany's attorney said he's incredibly grateful for this filing and is looking forward to putting this matter behind him and moving forward with his life. Given that you have lost your daughter, I'm just curious what the last six years have been like for you and your ability to put this behind you and move forward with your own life.

SPEAKER_06 1:00:54

Wow, to get it behind him is insane. They committed a crime, so there's no getting it behind you. Brianna doesn't get to come back. She doesn't get to put it behind her. She was killed because there lies negligence, and somebody should be held accountable for that. And this for me, every day since that day has been March the 13th. There's no putting it behind me.

SPEAKER_17 1:01:19

Ahead of the judge's decisions, what would you like people to remember about your daughter?

SPEAKER_06 1:01:23

Just that, you know, she deserved to be here. Um, she deserved to live her life, and she was in her own home, and she committed no crime, she had no criminal history, she wasn't even a target of the investigation. They had no legal reason to be there.

SPEAKER_17 1:01:43

And to that point that you said she wasn't the target of the investigation, she hadn't committed a crime, she was in her own home and yet she was shot to death. Who deserves to be held responsible for that?

SPEAKER_05 1:01:56

The officers that were charged, that unfortunately the Department of Justice is executing a political agenda. The officers who the DOJ just filed motions to dismiss for should absolutely be held accountable. The message that they are sending is that it is okay for police officers to go out there and lie to effectuate to get search warrants. They lied under oath, they lied when they wrote out the warrant, and they lied when they went before the judge and swore under oath that they were telling the truth. And the DOJ is sending a message that that is okay, and it's okay even if people die, and that's unfortunate, and it's not what we should be expecting of our police officers, and so those are the officers that should be held accountable.

SPEAKER_17 1:02:38

Ms. Palmer, I know it's been a long fight for you now for the past six years. Are you confident that you will continue this fight? Absolutely.

SPEAKER_06 1:02:46

Absolutely, because again, Brianna did nothing wrong. And to say that it's okay to lie and tell whatever story you want to break down someone's door is unacceptable.

SPEAKER_17 1:02:58

Tamika Palmer, Lenita Baker, we thank you both so much for your time. Really appreciate it. Thank you.

SPEAKER_14 1:03:04

When we think about remembering Brianna Taylor's life, she was a 26-year-old healthcare worker. And her death became a significant moment in the national conversation. Her story continues to be revered. And we continue to say her name. Let's take a listen.

SPEAKER_21 1:03:41

Today would have been Brianna Taylor's 27th birthday.

SPEAKER_06 1:03:44

Brianna was just full of life. She loved life. She light up a room.

SPEAKER_21 1:03:48

But instead of celebrating, her family is in mourning, seeking comfort in her memory.

SPEAKER_06 1:03:54

In that brief moment where people forgot about her for two months at a time. People need to know that Brianna Taylor mattered, and Brianna Taylor was great.

SPEAKER_21 1:04:03

A fatal error that took the life of a young woman who had dreams of being a nurse.

unknown 1:04:09

Black Light Matter! Black Light Matter!

SPEAKER_21 1:04:12

As the nation grapples with the realities of racial injustice in the cases of George Floyd, Ahmad Arbrey.

SPEAKER_09 1:04:19

Say her name! Brianna Taylor!

SPEAKER_21 1:04:22

Protesters insist her name won't be forgotten. Brianna Taylor now joins a sad list of other women like Sandra Bland, Atatiana Jefferson, Tanisha Anderson, and Yvette Smith in a tragic roll call. A reminder that black women are not exempt from police brutality.

SPEAKER_03 1:05:05

Say her name attempts to make the death of black women an active part of this conversation by saying her names. If black lives really do matter, all black lives have to matter. That means black lives across gender have to be lifted up.

SPEAKER_14 1:06:00

Mean is you have the nerve to bang on someone's door, don't announce yourself. And when that person who is a legal gun owner returns fire and you gun this woman down not knowing who was in that apartment, there could have been children in that apartment. And then to have the nerve to charge her boyfriend for attempted murder. Are you kidding me? Make it make sense. Because it doesn't make sense. Brianna Taylor's life matter. Her life still matters. And she will be remembered forever. And then the justice system failed again. You don't charge anyone in her death. You charge the police officer in wanton dangerment. Which means he created danger to the other residents in the home. Well, what about the woman that you killed? I really hate to say this. Black women's lives do not matter. And that has to change. On this platform, we matter. We will say your name and we will keep your story alive. What's haunting is no one has been charged for her death. That's not something a settlement can rectify. I'm pretty sure Brianna's mother wants her alive. The twelve million dollars was because you violated her civil rights when you knocked on her door, you didn't announce yourself, and you returned fire. Killing her in her own home and in a place where she should have felt safe for a faulty, false warrant for information that wasn't true, that didn't exist. Make it make sense. When we say black lives matter, it's not a movement, it's not an organization. It's saying that our lives mean something because they've never meant anything. I can go on. Freddie Gray, Sandra Bland, Trayvon Martin, George Floyd. The list goes on. These are names that will never fade. These are people who matter. This is someone's child. This young lady should be here to experience life, to reach her goals, to be with her family, to celebrate birthdays, holidays, and that was taken away. Someone is responsible for Brianna Taylor's murder, and it's not her boyfriend. But you know what? No one is ever gonna serve justice for this. It doesn't matter how much reform you do, how many policies you put into place, no one has been charged for her murder. And that is the saddest part of the case. It's no number you can write on a check when you cannot say this officer was charged for her murder. It's a slap in the face to Brianna's family. My heart goes out to Brianna's family, to Kenneth Walker, who has had to face unimaginable scrutiny. But my heart bleeds for the life that Brianna Taylor didn't get a chance to experience. Brianna Taylor, we say your name. We remember your name. You will not be forgotten. And may your sweet and beautiful soul forever rest in peace. Thank you guys for tuning in to another episode of Senseless True Crime. We appreciate every listen, every message, and every story you send our way. You can reach the show anytime at senseless true crime at gmail.com. And don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook at Senseless True Crime Podcast. And until next time, stay safe, stay informed, and please take care of yourselves.