LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Metro Council unanimously passed a ban on the use of no-knock warrants late Thursday, called Breonna’s Law in honor of a woman shot and killed in her apartment by local authorities in March.
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer vowed to sign the ban into law as soon as the measure hits his desk, saying "risk to residents and officers with this kind of search outweigh any benefit."
I plan to sign Breonna’s Law as soon as it hits my desk. I suspended use of these warrants indefinitely last month, and wholeheartedly agree with Council that the risk to residents and officers with this kind of search outweigh any benefit. 1/2
— Mayor Greg Fischer (@louisvillemayor) June 11, 2020
In addition to prohibiting completely the practice of executing no-knock warrants , the legislation -- named for Breonna Taylor -- requires officers wait a minimum of 15 seconds after knocking and announcing their presence when serving a warrant. It also requires police to wear body cameras when serving warrants and to turn on the cameras five minutes before beginning the operation, WAVE reported.
Taylor was in her apartment with her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, when police arrived March 13 to execute a warrant in the middle of the night. Walker, mistaking the police for intruders, fired on the officers who returned fire, striking 26-year-old Taylor several times in the process.
Taylor later died, and Walker was initially charged with attempted murder, but the charge has been dropped. The three officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave during an investigation, NPR reported.
Bre, this is for you! 🙏🏾 #BreonnasLaw not only BANS no-knock warrants in Louisville, but also requires the use of body cameras by anyone executing a search warrant. Thank you all for your support in advocating for justice!! Let this be part of #BreonnaTaylor’s legacy. #SayHerName pic.twitter.com/yBozQ6QJBM
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) June 12, 2020
Cox Media Group
