US Justice Dept. Files Charges Against 4 Louisville Police Officers In Breonna Taylor Killing

The US Justice Department filed charges Thursday against four current and former police officers in connection with the shooting death of Breonna Taylor in the state of Kentucky.

"We allege that the defendants knew their actions and falsifying the affidavit could create a dangerous situation, and we allege these unlawful acts resulted in Ms. Taylor's death," US Attorney General Merrick Garland said at a news conference.

Investigators said the officers unlawfully entered Taylor's apartment for a drug deal operation on March 13, 2020, when they shot and killed her during the raid.

The federal charges allege that officers falsified the affidavit used to obtain the search warrant for Taylor's apartment, which violated federal civil rights laws and resulted in her death.

Former Louisville detective Kelly Goodlett and officer Joshua Jaynes have been charged with conspiracy for allegedly falsifying the affidavit for the search warrant and trying "to cover up their unlawful conduct" after the botched raid.

"We allege that defendants Jaynes and Goodlet conspired to knowingly falsifying an investigative document that was created after Ms. Taylor's death," said Garland. "We allege that in May 2020, those two defendants met in a garage where they agreed to tell investigators a false story."

Former officer Brett Hankison was charged in a two-count indictment for deprivation of rights under color of law, which are civil rights offenses.

Sgt. Kyle Meany was charged with lying to the FBI during the investigation.

The charges also include the unconstitutional use of force, unlawful conspiracies, and obstruction of justice.

"They conspired to mislead federal, state, and local authorities who were investigating the incident," said Garland. "Breonna Taylor should be alive today." -