Kenneth Walker, the boyfriend of Breonna Taylor, has settled two lawsuits against the city of Louisville for the careless raid that led to the death of Taylor over two years ago. In a statement released by his lawyer, Walker said “I am grateful to have resolved these lawsuits and hope that with this step we are one step closer to justice for Breonna.”
The first lawsuit, which was filed in May 2020, alleged that the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) used excessive force when they raided Walker and Breonna Taylor’s apartment on March 13, 2020. The second lawsuit, which was filed in September 2020, alleged that LMPD did not properly train their officers on how to execute search warrants.
Under the terms of the settlement, Walker will receive $2 million from the city of Louisville. In addition, the city will also create a police training program on how to execute search warrants safely and without using excessive force. “This has been a long and difficult journey for Kenneth,” said Walker’s attorney Steven L. Reed in a statement. “We hope that this settlement brings some measure of justice and closure for him.”
This is a victory not only for Kenneth Walker, but also for justice. It is a step in the right direction for accountability and reform within law enforcement. However, it is important to remember that no amount of money can ever bring back Breonna Taylor or undo the damage that has been done.
