Breonna Taylor's boyfriend Kenneth Walker has charges DISMISSED for shooting officer in the leg when cops busted down their door and killed the 26-year-old EMT
A judge in Kentucky has signed an order permanently closing a criminal case against Breonna Taylor's boyfriend, who shot a police officer during the deadly raid that killed Taylor.
Prosecutors dismissed an attempted murder of a police officer charge against Kenneth L. Walker in May, about two months after Taylor's death. But prosecutors left open the opportunity to revisit the charge against Walker if new evidence surfaced.
Taylor, 26, was fatally shot by police who burst through her door with a narcotics warrant on March 13, 2020. She and Walker had settled in for the night when police arrived and knocked down the door. Walker said he thought an intruder was breaking in and he fired a single shot that struck an officer in the leg.
Kenneth Walker is shown in an undated photo with Breonna Taylor
Walker and Taylor were at home when police busted through the door on a narcotics warrant
Attorney Benjamin Crump, left, holds up the hand of Walker during a rally on the steps of the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., June 25, 2020
A motion from Walker's attorney asking for the permanent dismissal said Walker 'acted in self-defense and that he did not know that police were on the other side of the door.'
Jefferson Circuit Judge Olu Stevens' order on Monday dismissed the 2020 indictment against Walker with prejudice, meaning it can't be reconsidered.
The officer who was shot, Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly, recovered from the leg wound and remains on the Louisville police department.
Taylor's killing sparked widespread protests and led to the firings of two Louisville police detectives: Myles Cosgrove, who shot Taylor, and Joshua Jaynes, who sought the warrant for the botched drug raid.
An investigation found Jaynes violated procedures for preparation of a search warrant and truthfulness.
Detectives Joshua Jaynes (left) and Myles Cosgrove (right) were fired in connection to Breonna Taylor's fatal shooting on March 13
Body camera footage from police shows Walker on the night of the shooting
Walker shot Lt. Jonathan Mattingly, who remains on the force
Cosgrove, who the FBI concluded had fired the bullet that claimed Taylor's life, was found to have violated the department's use of force policy and failing to use a body camera, according to the publication.
Jaynes was not present during the shooting at Taylor's apartment in Louisville, but was responsible for securing the 'no-knock' search warrant from a judge 12 hours before the raid.
The warrant had become the subject of controversy following the shooting, raising questions as to why officers had targeted Taylor's home despite her not being involved in their drug investigation.
Jaynes's termination letter stated: 'These are extreme violations of our policies, which endangered others.
'Your actions have brought discredit upon yourself and the department. Your conduct has severely damaged the image our department has established within our community.
The officers were serving a search warrant as part of a narcotics investigation on March 13 when they shot Taylor, but no drugs or cash were found in her home.
A person holds a sign calling for 'Justice for Breonna' at a rally on Sept. 23, 2020 in Chicago
People protest in response to Taylor's death in Louisville, Kentucky on Sept. 24, 2020
Louisville Sergeant Jonathan Mattingly in October of last year filed a lawsuit against Walker, accusing him of assault, battery and emotional distress.
Mattingly has blamed Walker for Taylor's death because the officers 'returned fire' after he was shot in the leg.
'Every piece of evidence from when they falsely arrested and indicted him a year ago up till today prove that Kenny acted in self defense and was immune from prosecution,' Walker's attorney, Steve Romines, said in a statement. 'Yet he was framed and charged to cover up Breonna's killing. This is but a first step.'
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