After avoiding charges for his role in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor, a Louisville police sergeant is now suing Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, for his pain and suffering.
Officer Files Lawsuit After Killing Breonna Taylor
Jonathan Mattingly was shot in the leg by Walker on March 13 after Mattingly and two other Louisville officers barged into Taylor’s home. Mattingly fired at least one of the six shots that killed Breonna Taylor. The officers are White. Taylor and Walker are Black.
Cop Who Killed Breonna Taylor Suing For Pain + Anguish
The lawsuit filed by Mattingly says he should be compensated for medical treatment, trauma, pain and mental anguish resulting from the gunshot wound and the aftermath of the incident. He was the first officer to enter Taylor’s apartment and the only one who was hit by a bullet from Kenneth Walker’s gun. Walker has been cleared of any criminal wrongdoing.
Louisville Cops Were Not Charged With Murder In Breonna Taylor’s Death
Mattingly and the other officers involved were not charged with murder. One of the officers, Brett Hankinson, was fired from the LMPD and charged with wanton endangerment because of the shots he recklessly fired into other nearby homes. However, grand jury members have recently come forward to say they were never given an option to charge the cops with murder.
Breonna Taylor’s Death Sparked Protests, Activism
Breonna Taylor’s death was one of the major catalysts that sparked a summer of nationwide protest and activism against police brutality. In an election year, that led to a surge in awareness about the importance of voting, a movement that is peaking with Election Day looming on Tuesday, Nov. 3.