LOUISVILLE, Ky. (LEX 18) — A grand jury has announced that none of the officers involved in Breonna Taylor's death will be indicted for homicide charges, including murder or manslaughter.
Instead, one of the officers, Brett Hankison, is being charged with three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, a Class D felony. The felony is punishable of one to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 for each count. The counts involve endangering Breonna Taylor's neighbors, not what happened at her home.
A cash bond for Hankison was set at $15,000. The other officers involved in Taylor's death, Jon Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove, were not indicted.
Protesters have been calling for charges to be filed against the officers involved in Taylor's shooting death since she was killed while a no-knock search warrant was served at her home on March 13. No drugs were found.
The LMPD fired one of the officers involved, Hankison, in June, saying he violated procedures by showing "extreme indifference to the value of human life." The other officers involved in the case — Mattingly and Cosgrove — have been placed on administrative reassignment.
Prior to the announcement, LMPD restricted access to downtown ahead of the attorney general's announcement, like limiting vehicle access and setting up barricades. Louisville Metro Police Department interim Chief Robert Schroeder said it's to protect the public while also allowing for demonstrations.
On Monday, Chief of Police Robert J. Schroeder declared a state of emergency for the department and canceled all off days and vacation requests for officers until further notice.
The department said prior to the announcement they hope things remain peaceful and they won't have to use the prepared measures.
Gov. Andy Beshear said he is prepared to deploy the Kentucky National Guard and Kentucky State Police to Louisville after the Breonna Taylor decision if needed.
