Breonna Taylor shooting: Louisville police fires two detectives involved in a raid

by

Detective Joshua Jaynes received a letter from the department prior to the termination earlier Tuesday, his attorney Thomas Clay said.

The letter, sent by interim chief of police Yvette Gentry, informed Jaynes of the “current intention to terminate (his) employment” and that the action is based on an evaluation of the findings of the “Professional Standards Investigation to prepare and execution of the search warrant at Taylor’s apartment.

Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency room technician, was shot and killed in her apartment by police officers in Louisville during a flawed burglary raid in the early morning hours of March 13.

Gentry writes that Jaynes has violated standard procedure regarding preparation for the execution of a search warrant and falsehood.

“Your actions have brought you and the Department into disrepute. Your behavior has seriously damaged the image our Department has built within our community,” Gentry wrote. “I cannot tolerate this kind of behavior or untruth from any member of the Louisville Metro Police Department.”

According to the letter, a police hearing is on the agenda on Thursday.

Clay said the hearing is a formality “because there is no doubt in my mind that a decision to fire him has already been made, regardless of what he has to say at this pre-termination hearing.”

Clay called the investigation process a “fiasco” and believes his client is unfairly blamed.

“Detective Jaynes is being scapegoated by a whimsical and farcical investigation by the Louisville Police Department,” Clay said.

The Kentucky administration has denied Breonna Taylor's family's petition for a special prosecutor

According to his attorney, Jarrod Beck, Detective Myles Cosgrove also received a cancellation letter. Beck declined to comment further.

Louisville police said on Tuesday it will not be able to discuss the matters “until an internal investigation is closed and disciplinary action is taken,” said spokesman Sgt. John Bradley.

The police union said in a statement it knew that two members had received letters and would consult with them and their lawyers during the trial.

Former detective Brett Hankison has been charged, but not for the murder of Taylor. He is charged with three counts of willful first-degree threat for allegedly blindly firing bullets that ended up in an apartment next to Taylor’s. He pleaded not guilty.

He was fired in June.

.Source