Photo: Oldham County Jail (2)
Federal prosecutors have filed new charges against two former Louisville police officers in connection with the tragic 2020 raid that led to the death of Breonna Taylor. In indictments filed on October 1, Joshua Jaynes and Sgt. Kyle Meany is now accused of depriving Taylor of her civil rights and falsifying the search warrant used during the fatal raid. told CBS News.
According to the newly filed court documents, Jaynes and Meany allegedly falsified information in the warrant that authorized officers to enter Taylor’s Louisville apartment unannounced. Prosecutors also claim that the two officers “planned to execute the warrant in a manner that heightened the risk of gunfire,” by serving it at night and omitting key details. One critical piece of withheld information was about Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, being a licensed gun owner — a fact that could have influenced how the raid was conducted.
Taylor, a 26-year-old aspiring nurse working as an EMT, was at home with Walker when the no-knock warrant was executed shortly after midnight on March 13, 2020. Walker, believing they were being attacked, fired a shot as police broke down the door. Officers responded by firing over 20 bullets into the apartment, one of which fatally struck Taylor. None of the officers who fired the shots were initially charged in connection with Taylor’s death.
Walker was arrested and charged with assault and attempted murder after injuring one of the officers, Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly. However, the charges against him were later dropped with prejudice, meaning he cannot be recharged for the same incident.
The indictments against Jaynes and Meany follow a recent ruling in which a federal judge dismissed some of the charges related to the case. The judge determined that the mere existence of the warrant wasn’t enough to directly link it to Taylor’s death, resulting in the dismissal of felony charges of deprivation of rights. Federal prosecutors have since filed an appeal, aiming to reverse the judge’s decision. report from Atlanta Black Star.
In addition to these new charges, Jaynes faces accusations of conspiracy and falsification of records, while Meany has been charged with making false statements to federal investigators. Both officers were not physically present during the raid, but their actions leading up to it are now under intense legal scrutiny. Jaynes’ attorney, Thomas Clay, acknowledged the new indictment, saying they are “researching our response,” while it remains unclear if Meany has legal representation at this time.
Breonna Taylor’s death has sparked widespread protests and calls for police reform, highlighting ongoing concerns over the use of no-knock warrants and accountability in law enforcement. The new charges against Jaynes and Meany mark another chapter in the pursuit of justice for Taylor and her family.
