Breonna Taylor: Louisville Settles Family’s Wrongful Death Lawsuit

A wrongful death settlement of 12 million dollars will be paid to the family of Breonna Taylor by the city of Louisville.

At a joint press conference on Tuesday, Mayor Greg Fisher, Taylor’s family, and their attorneys announced the settlement of Taylor’s death lawsuit, who was killed in her home by police on March 13.

Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, said, “Justice for Breonna means that we will continue to save lives in her honor. No amount of money accomplishes that, but the police reform measures that we were able to get passed as a part of this settlement mean so much more to my family, our community, and Breonna’s legacy.”

Louisville agreed to organize a housing credit program as an incentive for police officers to live in the areas they serve, as part of the settlement. Also, the use of social workers to render support on specific police runs, and require commanders to review and approve search warrants before seeking judicial approval.

Mayor Fischer said Louisville is not acknowledging wrongdoing in the agreement. “I cannot begin to imagine Ms. Palmer’s pain. And I am deeply, deeply sorry for Breonna’s death,” he said.

The death of Breonna Taylor has led to months of protests in Louisville and across the country in solidarity of Black Lives Matter and against police brutality.

However, none of the officers involved in the killing has been charged with a crime.

On Tuesday, Crump, attorney Lonita Baker, and Palmer continued to push for criminal charges against the officers involved.

“It’s time to move forward with the criminal charges because she deserves that and much more,” Palmer said. “Her beautiful spirit and personality is working through all of us on the ground, so please continue to say her name: Breonna Taylor.”

Since the death of Breonna Taylor, the chief of police was fired in June after a separate police shooting, and the Louisville City Council passed “Breonna’s Law,” which banned no-knock search warrants.