By David Matthews
New York Daily News
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Kentucky judge permanently dismissed all charges against Kenneth Walker, the boyfriend of Breonna Taylor, the Louisville woman who was killed by police during a mishandled raid in March 2020.
Walker was initially charged with assault and attempted murder after he returned fire at the raiding police officers, injuring one, during the March 13, 2020, incident.
Police had been searching for an ex-boyfriend of Taylor’s who was not present at the home she shared with Walker.
Walker argued that he thought the officers were attempting to rob him, which was corroborated by the couple’s neighbor who said police never identified themselves before ramming down Walker’s door.
There was no body camera footage of the incident.
Under Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Olu Stevens’ ruling, Walker cannot be charged again.
One of the officers involved in the case, Brett Hankison, was charged by a grand jury in 2020 for wanton endangerment for shooting into a neighboring apartment which was occupied at the time. Hankison, as well as fellow officers Myles Cosgrove, who also fired shots that night, and Joshua Jaynes, who sought the warrant, have since been fired from the Louisville Metropolitan Department.
The FBI is still investigating the incident.
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