Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is reacting to a Louisville grand juryâs decision to indict only one police officer in Breonna Taylorâs case, who was fatally shot by Louisville Metro Police Department officers in her home on March 13. The officer was charged with wanton endangerment, but not directly related to Taylorâs death.
âBreonna Taylor was a beloved daughter, member of her community, and an essential worker who served as an E.M.T. as COVID-19 began to spread. But she died, shot in her own home by the police,â Biden said in a statement on Wednesday.
He said that he is mourning with Taylorâs family and questioned if âjustice could be equally applied in America.â
The former vice president declared that Wednesdayâs decision by a Louisville grand jury to indicate one of the three police officers involved in the case âdoes not answer that callâ of justice.
His statement continued:
âA federal investigation remains ongoing, but we do not need to wait for the final judgment of that investigation to do more to deliver justice for Breonna. We know what is necessary.â
Biden listed out things that need to be addressed such as âexcessive force, banning chokeholds, and overhauling no-knock warrants.â
He then added that he understands Americans are frustrated and they have the right to peacefully protest but he condemned violence as ânever acceptable.â
âWe must continue to speak Breonna Taylorâs name, support her family still in grieving, and never give up on ensuring the full promise of America for every American,â he said.
Biden also spoke out on violence and protests when speaking to reporters, âDo not sully her memory or her motherâs by engaging in any violence.â
Taylorâs family responded to the decision by a Louisville grand jury, as the attorney who represents the family wrote on Twitter, âJefferson County Grand Jury indicts former ofc. Brett Hankison with 3 counts of Wanton Endangerment in 1st Degree for bullets that went into other apartments but NOTHING for the murder of Breonna Taylor. This is outrageous and offensive!â
The attorney, Benjamin Crump, continued, âIf Brett Hankisonâs behavior was wanton endangerment to people in neighboring apartments, then it should have been wanton endangerment in Breonna Taylorâs apartment too. In fact, it should have been ruled wanton murder!â
President Donald Trump was asked by a reporter during Wednesdayâs press conference about the decision, to which he said Attorney General of Kentucky Daniel Cameron is a âstarâ and is âdoing a fantastic job.â
He then read the attorney generalâs statement, saying justice âanswers only to the facts and to the law.â
