A Jefferson County attorney announced Friday (July 17) that the felony charges against the 87 Breonna Taylor protesters who were arrested at the home of Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron have been dropped.
“While we do believe the LMPD had probable cause for the charge, in the interest of the justice and promotion of the free speech ideas, we will dismiss the charge for each protester arrested this past Tuesday,” Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell said.
The protesters were also charged with two other misdemeanor charges — trespassing and disorderly conduct. Those charges currently remain, but will go under review, according to O’Connell.
Among those arrested and charged were rapper YBN Cordae, activist Tamika Mallory, “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Porsha Williams and “Love and Hip Hop: New York” star Yandy Smith.
It’s been over four months since Taylor was shot and killed in her home by Louisville police officers. None of the officers have been charged or arrested with her death. Former officer Brett Hankison was fired for his involvement in the shooting and has since filed an appeal against his termination.
Earlier this week, Cameron said that he did not have a timeline on when his office would conclude Taylor’s investigation. He did confirm that his office had received all of the requested information from the Louisville Metro Police Department.
On Thursday (July 16), T.I. penned a message to Cameron demanding that he drop the charges against the protesters and arrest the police officers who killed Taylor. “@danieljaycameron you done stepped in some shit sir,” he wrote on Instagram. “But It’s not too late…YOU MUST do what’s right & drop these charges to something commensurate to similar violations made by non-melanated people…Or else you and your office WILL BE complicit to the crimes of white supremacy & systemic racism that infests America today.”
He continued, “I’m certain you’d hate to be on the wrong side of history on this matter… it’d be terrible for everyone who looks up to you to watch you fight for the confederacy & lose….AGAIN. Just some insight from 1 brother to another. Oh & while I have your attention…. CHARGE THE COPS WHO KILLED BREONNA TAYLOR.”