Two grand jurors in the Breonna Taylor case are speaking out about the actions of the Louisville cops who killed the 26-year-old EMT and how Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron tried to cover it up. All this comes on the heels of Breonna’s mother filing a request for a new grand jury and an independent prosecutor to review the case. Details inside…
Two of the grand jurors in the Breonna Taylor case are publicly speaking out about Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron mishandled the case, as well as the “criminal” and “negligent” actions of the Louisville Metro Police Department officers.
The jurors – identified as No. 1 and 2 – spoke to “CBS This Morning” co-host Gayle King and shared their thoughts about how the case was handled. The men – who asked to remain anonymous in fear of their safety – said the grand jury was never given the option to consider murder or manslaughter. One of the jurors called the police officer’s actions the night Breonna was killed “criminal.”
#EXCLUSIVE: 2 grand jurors in the Breonna Taylor case tell @GayleKing prosecutors never presented them with the option to consider indicting officers on more serious charges for her death — which they say left them feeling frustrated & disgusted. pic.twitter.com/3fHgy2Dse1
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) October 28, 2020
"It was a betrayal," Juror No. 2 said."They didn't give us the charges up front… when they gave us all of that testimony, over 20-something hours, and then to say that these are the only charges that they're coming up with, it's like, 'Well, what did we just sit through?'"
On March 13th, police officers stormed in Breonna’s apartment using a no-knock warrant looking for Breonna’s ex-boyfriend. Breonna’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, was in the apartment with her. When the officers busted through her door unannounced, he fired one single warning shot – not knowing it was the police – thinking it was a home invasion. Kenneth said the police never announced themselves and several neighbors said the same. The police officers let off over 30 shots into Breonna’s home, killing her.
Juror No. 2 said there was an "uproar" among the grand jury when they were told by prosecutors that the wanton endangerment charge was the only one to consider after hours of testimony. The jurors said they were told that "there were other possible charges" that were considered, but none they could "make stick." Hmph.
WATCH: Two grand jurors in the Breonna Taylor case tell @GayleKing they were shocked that more serious charges were not presented by the Attorney General's office and are speaking out now, so everyone understands the truth. pic.twitter.com/Zzzc8H4r9b
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) October 28, 2020
The jurors’ lawyer, Kevin Glogower, said, "from a legal perspective, it looked like they weren't following the grand jurors and they only wanted the grand jurors to follow them, which is contrary to the actual rule."
"Normally," he said, "the grand jurors are presented with the law and the charges so that they can listen to the facts with an open mind and apply those facts to the law, almost as a road map."
The jurors said after they saw Daniel Cameron’s press conference where he announced one police officer was charged with wanton endangerment, they HAD to speak out.
Peep the clips above for the full interview.
Today, River City Fraternal Order of Police President Ryan Nichols spoke to Gayle King about the cover-up accusations in Breonna Taylor’s case, defending Cameron. Of course. Watch the interview above.
Breonna Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, filed legal documents asking the Kentucky Prosecutors Advisory Council to appoint an independent prosecutor to present the case of her daughter's death before a new grand jury with an “unbiased” presentation of the evidence.
"At minimum, my daughter deserves, as do all aggrieved victims, a competent and capable prosecution team which is committed to properly investigating the case, evaluating the law from an unbiased lens, presenting the evidence and allowing the grand jurors to perform the functions guaranteed to them under the law," wrote Tamika Palmer in her request for relief.
Two weeks ago, Breonna’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, and his lawyers sat down with Gayle King to discuss the case and how it was handled. Peep those interviews below:
By the way, he's suing the Louisville Metro Police Department after the shooting death. Get those deets HERE.
We’re still keeping our fingers crossed Breonna’s family gets REAL justice for her murder because that’s exactly what happened. She was murdered.
Photo: Breonna's Family
