LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Attorneys for the family of Breonna Taylor have filed motions in her wrongful death lawsuit to hold city employees in contempt for failing to turn over records related to her March 13 shooting death by Louisville Metro Police officers.
In court records and a news release, the attorneys claim police and city officials have ignored subpoenas and "unlawfully denied" open records requests, continuing a pattern of "lack of transparency."
"These 'above the law' actions have gone on for far too long in this administration," according to the news release, written by attorneys Sam Aguiar and Lonita Baker. "Contrary to the mayor’s office’s beliefs, the city is not exempt from the rules governing our justice system. We intend to seek all sanctions available for these blatant and willful violations."
In a motion filed Monday in the wrongful death lawsuit against the city and police, Aguiar and Baker asked a judge to hold the records custodian for the Louisville Metro Coroner’s Office in contempt for failing to respond to a deposition subpoena or turn over records.
The deposition, according to court records, was scheduled to take place on June 12 but attorneys have been unable to reach anyone with the coroner’s office, according to court records.
Attorneys for Taylor’s family have asked for the 26-year-old’s autopsy report, pictures and any correspondence between Louisville police and the Jefferson Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office related to Taylor's death.
Baker told WDRB News in an interview that autopsies in other high profile cases have been released.
"We see George Floyd — the autopsy's been released. We see in Atlanta with Rayshard Brooks — his autopsy's been released," Baker said. "Why can't we see Breonna's autopsy?"
The attorneys also said in the news release that the city has not responded to open records request for any communications from Mayor Greg Fischer about the investigation of the March 13 shooting and any records the Louisville Merit Board has regarding the officers involved in the shooting.
In the release, the attorneys claim the information has been withheld from them — even though it has been given to attorneys representing the city.
The attorneys also claim Fischer has ignored a subpoena, opening himself up to a possible contempt finding.
"We deserve answers," Baker said. "The community deserves answers, and it's not enough for Fischer to keep saying, 'We're being transparent.' The words coming out of (his) mouth don't match (his) actions."
The shooting of Taylor, a black woman, has drawn national scrutiny and protests. Taylor was shot eight times after officers burst into her home during an early morning raid after police obtained a no-knock warrant.
Her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, fired at officers when they rushed in, hitting one in the leg. Walker has told police that he thought he and Taylor were being robbed. Walker initially was charged with attempted murder, but the charge has been dismissed.
Nothing illegal was found at the home.
Attorneys representing Taylor say the city has thus far only released the subpoenaed 911 call made by Walker and a "selection of portions of statements hand-picked by the mayor and Commonwealth’s attorney which were presented in an effort to somehow justify the frivolous charges made against Kenny Walker," according to the news release.
The release appealed to Louisville police to "speak out against corruption and racism" and hold officers accountable.
"You know what happened," Agiuar and Baker wrote. "You were there or you've otherwise been told. Your silence is complicity. Your honesty and decision to speak out against these actions and against racism will help rebuild this city and unite us all."
WDRB News reached out to the mayor's office for an explanation, but a spokesperson deferred to the county attorney's office, which plans to respond in a Wednesday court filing.
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