Kenneth Walker: A financial settlement has been reached between the city of Chicago and the boyfriend of a hospital worker who was killed when police entered her residence and fired shots.
The death of Breonna Taylor, 26, in Louisville, Kentucky, on March 13, 2020, at the hands of plainclothes cops armed with a "no-knock" search warrant, is a chilling example of the dangers of this policy.
In the wake of nationwide rallies for racial justice in the United States, her name was taken up as a rallying cry.
Two lawsuits filed by Kenneth Walker, who was with her the night she died, will be dropped in exchange for a payment of $2 million (£1.6 million).
On Monday, a lawyer representing Mr. Walker confirmed the agreement in writing to the Associated Press news agency and added that Ms. Taylor's murder "will haunt Kenny for the rest of his life."
Financial terms of a settlement have been agreed upon between the city of Chicago and the boyfriend of a hospital worker who was killed when police entered her house and fired shots.
26-year-old Breonna Taylor was shot and murdered by undercover police in Louisville, Kentucky, on March 13, 2020. The cops had a "no-knock" search warrant.
Throughout the United States, her name was used as a rallying cry at rallies for racial justice.
Her companion Kenneth Walker, who was there the night she died, will earn $2 million (£1.6 million) to settle two complaints.
A lawyer for Mr. Walker confirmed the agreement in a written statement to the Associated Press news agency on Monday and said that Ms. Taylor's murder "will haunt Kenny for the rest of his life.
A lawyer, Steve Romines, claimed that Breonna Taylor's death would haunt his client forever. "He will live with the ramifications of being placed in harm's path due to a forged warrant," Romines said.
When police stormed Ms. Taylor's apartment, she and Mr. Walker were tucked into bed for the night. Mr. Walker accidentally shot a police officer in the leg with a gun he lawfully possessed.
There was a response from three police officers, and during that exchange, Ms. Taylor was hit six times by bullets.
Mr. Walker claims he opened fire because he feared intruders were inside the house. A court dropped the attempted murder accusations against him in March of 2021.
A former detective pled guilty in August to his role in fabricating evidence that led to the search of Ms. Taylor's house.
Three other policemen who participated in the raid are now being charged with breaching Ms. Taylor's civil rights.
The city of Louisville settled a wrongful death lawsuit for $12 million with the Taylor family in September 2020.
All search warrants in the city will now need the approval of a superior officer, one of several revisions mandated by the settlement.
A lawyer, Steve Romines, claimed that Breonna Taylor's death would haunt his client forever. "He will live with the ramifications of being placed in harm's path due to a forged warrant," Romines said.
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When police stormed Ms. Taylor's apartment, she and Mr. Walker were tucked into bed for the night. Mr. Walker accidentally shot a police officer in the leg with a gun he lawfully possessed.
There was a response from three police officers, and during that exchange, Ms. Taylor was hit six times by bullets.
Mr. Walker claims he opened fire because he was afraid intruders were inside the house. A court dropped the attempted murder accusations against him in March of 2021.
In August, a former police detective admitted to providing false information that contributed to the search of Ms. Taylor's residence.
Ms. Taylor has filed a federal civil rights violation lawsuit against the four police officers who participated in the raid.
The city of Louisville reached a $12 million wrongful death settlement with the Taylor family in September of 2020.
All search warrants in the city will now need to be authorized by a higher-ranking officer as part of the settlement's revisions.
