Kentucky AG warns that 'mob justice is not justice' after grand jury cleared three cops in the killing of Breonna Taylor - and chokes up while discussing the effect the case has had on him
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron defended a grand jury's decision to clear three officers of charges in Breonna Taylor's killing by saying that 'law is not meant to react to tragedy'.
Cameron discussed the outcome of his four-month investigation into Taylor's death on Wednesday, after the grand jury chose to indict just one of the officers, Brett Hankison, on three counts of wanton endangerment in connection with the police raid where the 26-year-old EMT was shot and killed on the night of March 13.
The first-degree charge, a Class D felony which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison, relates to Hankison shooting into the neighboring apartments during the incident, not Taylor's death.
Sgt Jonathan Mattingly and Detective Myles Cosgrove, who were also present at the time of the fatal operation, were not charged.
Cameron, who is the state's first black attorney general, said that the officers were not charged for Taylor's death because they acted in self-defense after her boyfriend fired at them.
He said he understood why people were outraged by the incident, but said that had no bearing on the outcome of his investigation.
'I certainly understand the pain that has been brought about by the tragic loss of Miss Taylor. I understand that as an attorney general ... I understand that as a black man,' Cameron said.
'This team, myself, and the representatives of the Attorney General's office have taken a lot of criticism and scrutiny. But that scrutiny in many ways was misplaced because there was not a day that people in this office didn't go to sleep thinking about this case.
'Criminal law is not meant to respond to every sorrow and grief, but my heart breaks for the loss of Ms Taylor and I've said that repeatedly. My mother, if something was to happen to me, would find it very hard,' he added while choking up.
At another point in his news conference Cameron cautioned against retaliation over the decision, which had already sparked unrest in downtown Louisville.
'If we simply act on emotion or outrage, there is no justice,' he said. 'Mob justice is not justice. Justice sought by violence is not justice. It just becomes revenge.'
Fired Louisville detective Brett Hankison (left) was charged with three counts of wanton endangerment in connection to the police raid that killed Breonna Taylor (right) on the night of March 13
Officers Myles Cosgrove (left) and John Mattingly (right) who were present during the police raid on March 13, were not charged on Wednesday. Hankison was fired from the LMPD while the other two officers were placed on administrative assignment
A person reacts after a decision in the criminal case against police officers involved in the death of Breonna Taylor, who was shot dead by police in her apartment, in Louisville, Kentucky in March
People react in Kentucky following the grand jury's decision in the criminal case against police officers involved in the death of Breonna Taylor
Hankison was fired by the Louisville Metro Police Department in June after officials said he violated policy by 'wantonly and blindly' firing his gun during the raid.
The FBI is still investigating potential violations of federal law in the case.
Cameron gave a detailed account of the months-long investigation into the events leading up to deadly shooting, which he said had been pieced together by ballistics reports, 911 calls, and witness interviews, due to the lack of bodycam footage.
Investigators believe Cosgrove was responsible for firing the bullet that took Taylor's life. Taylor was shot six times after officers barged into her apartment while acting on a search warrant for a drug investigation.
Her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, opened fire when police burst in, hitting Mattingly. Walker was charged with attempted murder of a police officer, but prosecutors later dropped the charge.
Walker had told police he heard knocking but didn't know who was coming into the home and fired in self-defense.
Cameron said Cosgrove and Mattingly were not charged after investigators determined their actions were justified because Walker opened fire.
'According to Kentucky law, the use of force by (Officers Jonathan) Mattingly and (Myles) Cosgrove was justified to protect themselves,' he said. 'This justification bars us from pursuing criminal charges in Miss Breonna Taylor's death.'
The three officers did not take part in the obtaining of the warrant, he said.
The raid had been widely reported by the media as a 'no-knock' warrant however, further investigations later proved the cops had knocked before entering.
Walker had also told investigators he did hear knocking, but maintained the cops had not identify themselves as police.
They knocked on Taylor's apartment door and announced their presence outside, which Cameron said was corroborated by a neighbor who witnessed the arrival.
Getting no answer, Cameron said police officers 'breached the door' and gained entry into the apartment.
Mattingly entered first, and at the end of a corridor saw Taylor and with Walker who was pointing a gun.
Walker fired, injuring Mattingly in the thigh. Mattingly returned fire, and his colleagues began shooting soon after, Cameron said. Hankison fired 10 bullets, Cameron said.
Six bullets hit Taylor, though there is no 'conclusive' evidence that any came from Hankison's gun, Cameron said. Bullets fired by Hankison traveled into a neighboring apartment.
The charges drew immediate sadness, frustration and anger among the community over the grand jury decision not to go further
Protesters began marching through the streets of Louisville, where Taylor was killed, after the announcement, shouting 'No justice, no peace'
Some members of the community were seen chanting as they reacted. While others sat quietly and cried
Just one hour before the decision was announced, the National Guard was deployed to downtown Louisville amid fears of unrest and protests
Attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Taylor's family, called the grand jury's decision 'outrageous and offensive'
