By: April Carson
When Louisville cops couldn't locate proof that Breonna Taylor's apartment was being used for drug trafficking, they manufactured evidence and lied in order to search it, according to a deal signed by one of the cops charged by the United States Justice Department.
The prosecution's newly filed motion for summary judgment, which was submitted October 4, exposes the inner workings of the murder investigation that led to Taylor's death in a "no knock" police raid in March 2020. The affidavit from former Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) Detective Kelly Goodlett, released Sep. 6, takes back the cover on the operation that resulted in her being shot and killed by cops.
Goodlett was charged with conspiracy by the Justice Department for allegedly assisting in the fabrication of the search warrant affidavit.
Defense attorneys maintain that some police officers often make false statements on documents, such as affidavits and search warrants. “Unfortunately, this type of misconduct is staggeringly common,” says Joe Margulies, a criminal law professor at Cornell University and former federal defender. “These are casual falsehoods that are calculatedly inserted into an affidavit in support of a warrant application. They have gotten quite good at it."
In this particular case, the false statements were used to obtain a no-knock warrant, which allows police to enter a home without announcing their presence. No-knock warrants are controversial because they can lead to deadly violence.
According to federal authorities, the Louisville Metro Police Department's Place-Based Investigations Unit (PBI) was looking into Jamarcus Glover, Taylor's ex-boyfriend, for drug offenses. On January 16, 2020, Goodlett and her partner, Detective Joshua Jaynes observed Glover receiving a package from Taylor's house.
The cops became suspicious because they believed the package contained illegal drugs or drug money, according to Goodlett's affidavit. “The detectives, knowing that they needed actual evidence rather than simply a gut hunch to get a warrant, tried to locate evidence to back up their instinct,” says the plea agreement. They were unable to find any proof.
According to the affidavit, Jimenez asked another officer who had connections with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service if Taylor had been receiving suspicious packages, but he was told there was "nothing there."
Goodlett states that Jaynes created a false affidavit, which requested a "no knock" search warrant from Jefferson Circuit Judge Mary Shaw. The request included an authentication from the postal inspector claiming Glover was receiving packages at Taylor's address, as stated in the federal affidavit.
“Det. Jaynes was the primary drafter of the Springfield Drive warrant affidavit, but Det. Goodlett fact-checked and added some information to it, according to the agreement," it adds.
The search warrant for Taylor's home was obtained by fraud, according to the indictment. Former LMPD Sgt. Kyle Meany, Goodlett's then-superior, and Jaynes are both facing charges of violating Taylor's civil rights, which is punishable by up to life in prison if they are convicted. Meany is charged with lying to federal authorities during an interview.
A separate federal charge is being filed against Brett Hankinson, another former officer. This is for allegedly violating Taylor’s civil rights by using excessive force- firing 10 times into her apartment. Although he did not shoot the fatal bullet, it was his bullets that caused much of the damage.
It is highly unusual for cops to testify against their former colleagues, but local media and experts have questioned whether Goodlett is going to do just that. In most cases, officers tend stick together and support one another when under official or criminal investigations—but not in this instance. Steve Cohen, a former prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York says it best: "Officers usually band together in these types of cases."
But in this case, Cohen continued, "the relationship between the two officers seems to have been very strained, and that may be playing a role in Officer Goodlett's apparent decision to cooperate with prosecutors."
“It has always been tough to get a law enforcement officer to help, for plenty of years and reasons,” Cohen says. “As an law enforcement officer, you feel pressure to stick by your fellow officers. The thought of going against them--even if it would uphold a bigger idea--isn’t something that usually crosses an officer’s mind.”
Ancient Civilizations Live With Billy Carson and Matthew LaCroix
---------------
About the Blogger:
April Carson is the daughter of Billy Carson. She received her bachelor's degree in Social Sciences from Jacksonville University, where she was also on the Women's Basketball team. She now has a successful clothing company that specializes in organic baby clothes and other items. Take a look at their most popular fall fashions on bossbabymav.com
To read more of April's blogs, check out her website! She publishes new blogs on a daily basis, including the most helpful mommy advice and baby care tips! Follow on IG @bossbabymav
-------------------
LOOKING TO INVEST IN 4BIDDENKNOWLEDGE? CLICK HERE TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION AND GET INVOLVED WITH 4BIDDENKNOWLEDGE TV AND BECOME PART OF THE MOVEMENT!
Are you a member of the 4BK TV Channel? If not, you should want to become one!!
On 4bk.tv, you can Expand your mind and explore your consciousness in our collection of workshops by Billy Carson, including Remote viewing - Ancient History - Anomaly Hunting, and how to Manifest the things in life you've always desired
Start your 3-day FREE trial now!
GET YOUR BOOK TODAY!
