Additional Coverage:
New Charges in Breonna Taylor Case
Federal prosecutors have filed new charges against two former Louisville police officers, Joshua Jaynes and Kyle Meany, in connection with the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor. The charges allege that the officers falsified the warrant that led to the raid on Taylor’s home, resulting in her death.
Additional Allegations
The new indictment includes allegations that Jaynes and Meany knew the affidavit they used to obtain the warrant contained false and misleading information. They allegedly omitted important details and lacked probable cause to search Taylor’s home.
Judge’s Decision
The indictment argues that if the judge who approved the warrant had known about the false statements, she would not have granted it. This would have prevented the search that ultimately led to Taylor’s death.
Previous Dismissal
In August, a federal judge dismissed major felony charges against Jaynes and Meany, ruling that Taylor’s boyfriend’s actions caused her death, not the faulty warrant. This reduced the charges to misdemeanors.
Ongoing Proceedings
Jaynes and Meany’s attorneys are reviewing the new charges and will file a response. A mistrial was declared in the civil rights trial of a third former officer, Brett Hankison, in November. Another former officer, Kelly Goodlett, pleaded guilty to conspiracy in August 2022.
Kentucky Law Reform
In response to the Taylor case, Kentucky passed a law in 2021 limiting the use of no-knock warrants, where police enter homes without announcing themselves.