Yesterday, the city of Louisville announced a $12 million settlement with the family of Breonna Taylor, as well as some reforms to the Louisville police force.
Breonna Taylor was shot to death in March after three police officers erroneously entered her apartment using a “no knock” warrant, which has since been banned by the city of Louisville. The wrongful death suit alleges that the officers fired more than 20 rounds at Taylor and her boyfriend during the botched drug raid. No illegal substances were found in Taylor’s home.
“This settlement is of mutual interest,” said Sam Aguiar, one of the attorneys for the Taylor family. “The city was able to afford this level of justice, and Breonna Taylor’s mother has been adamant from day one that reform was needed to reduce the likelihood that no other family has to endure this type of tragedy.”
The settlement includes several reform measures including pairing police with social workers to handle cases related to mental health, houselessness, and addiction. It establishes a housing credit incentive for officers to live in low-income neighborhoods in the city, and adds more stringent requirements for the use of body cameras and obtaining a warrant.
The officers involved in Taylor’s killing have not been arrested or charged since her death. One was fired, while the two others were reassigned to administrative duties in the police department.
“Justice for Breonna Taylor is multilayered,” Lonita Baker, another attorney for the family stated. “We’re not gonna stop our cause to hold the officers responsible for Breonna’s death accountable. We’re gonna continue to put pressure on the attorney general’s office to present a fair case to the grand jury. We know that that indictment is coming from the grand jury.”
The city has not admitted any wrongdoing in the case of Breonna Taylor’s death. Taylor’s mother Tamika Palmer encouraged supporters to continue the fight for justice.
“We must not lose focus on what the real drive is. With that being said, it’s time to move forward with the criminal charges because she deserves that and much more,” said Palmer. “Her beautiful spirit and personality is working through all of us on the ground. So please continue to say her name: Breonna Taylor.”
Sources: HuffPost 9/15/20; Washington Post 9/15/20; CNN 9/15/20
