LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Commonwealth's Attorney Tom Wine has asked the judge to dismiss the case against Kenneth Walker III.
Walker, boyfriend of Breonna Taylor, was charged with attempted murder of a police officer after he started shooting at officers executing a no-knock search warrant at Taylor's apartment.
Walker hit one officer in the leg. He said he shot in self-defense, thinking it was a home invasion. Wine said that while reports said the officer was hit in the leg, it could have been significantly worse if not for his wallet in his pocket.
"There is no amount of cocaine, heroin, marijuana...worth the life of a human being, whether it's a civilian or police officer," Wine said.
Taylor was found shot in the home and later died. The FBI has opened investigation into Taylor's death after Louisville Metro Police handed over its investigation findings.
Walker's attorney filed a motion Thursday saying police presented misleading information. Wine said his office has filed a response to the motion, saying they "strongly disagree" with his analysis.
Wine said there is no misleading testimony and no ethical breaches of his office, but he said he does agree that more should have been presented to the grand jury.
"I believe that additional investigation is necessary," Wine said. "I believe the independent investigation...must be completed before we go forward with any prosecution of Kenneth Walker.
If Wine's office believes there is sufficient evidence, Wine said they will bring it to the judge. Wine also said that Walker will be given the opportunity to testify if he wants.
Wine did say he believes police did announce their presence and knocked on the door after hearing multiple officer's testimonies, as well as Walker's. Wine played multiple clips of Walker discussing a banging on the door the night of the shooting.
The warrant was executed as part of a drug raid where neither Taylor nor Walker were the primary targets. In an affidavit, Walker's father said he was not a drug dealer, scheduled to start a new job at the post office. The Valley High School graduate was placed on home incarceration.
Metro Council member Jessica Green called Walker a "hero" during a public safety committee meeting Wednesday, saying he should be released.
Louisville Police Fraternal Order of Police President Ryan Nichols said he was "disgusted" by the comments.
"To say that I was appalled and disgusted by [Councilwoman Green's] statement is a dramatic understatement," Nichols said. "I want an apology for such a polarizing and insensitive and egregious statement."
Green said her comments were misinterpreted as she never meant it was okay to shoot a cop.
"I believe that Mr. Walker reacted in the way that any man was trying to protect his family would," Green said. "He had no reason to shoot at officers than out of fear in my opinion."
While she said she "proudly stands" with the belief that Walker's arrest was unjustified, Green said she also proudly stands with Sgt. John Mattingly because "he came to do his job."
Attorney Ben Crump Responds to Dismissed Charges Against Kenneth Walker:
“Today, Commonwealth Attorney Tom Wine announced that the charges against Kenneth Walker have been dismissed -- charges that never should have been filed. This is a belated victory for justice and a powerful testament to the power of advocacy.“Kenneth Walker and Breonna Taylor did everything right the night police ambushed their home, killing Breonna. Kenneth called 911, although the Commonwealth Attorney did not play it today. They asked several times who was at the front door without a response. Kenneth fired a non-lethal warning shot from a legally registered gun. Unlike the police, he did not shoot to kill.“While dismissing the charges is the right thing to do, it comes more than two months after Breonna was killed and Kenneth was arrested. Louisville police spent these months defending their actions and smearing Kenneth’s and Breonna’s good names. This is just another step to the LMPD taking full responsibility for its actions. “They need to get their story straight. First, they publicized that they knocked and announced. But then they stated they had a no-knock warrant that did not require them to knock and announce. And then today, the prosecutor said on a dry erase board that it was a knock and announce warrant. And they want the public to have faith that they can trust the police in the execution of this warrant. Until everyone involved is held accountable and the full truth of what happened that night is revealed, justice for Kenneth and Breonna is incomplete.“To everyone who stood with Bre, thank you and continue to raise your voice for justice and for the value of Black lives.”
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