LMPD officials explain why protesters arrested at Ky. AG's home face felony charges

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Louisville Metro Police Department is responding after some have questioned why the 87 protesters arrested during a demonstration in the front yard of Attorney General Daniel Cameron earlier this week face felony charges.

According to a news release from LMPD spokesman Officer Lamont Washington, Special Adviser Jessie Halladay says the department has released two videos of the July 14 incident after "continued interest in the decision."

The protesters, with a social justice group called Until Freedom, were arrested after gathering for a sit-in on the front yard of Cameron's home Tuesday afternoon to demand what they say is justice for Breonna Taylor. Taylor died after she was shot several times as police officers burst into her Louisville apartment using a no-knock warrant in the early morning hours of March 13 during a narcotics investigation.

According to Halladay, the felony charge in question is "intimidating a participant in a legal process." Under the Kentucky statute:

"A person is guilty of intimidating a participant in the legal process when, by use of force or a threat directed to a person he believes to be a participant in the legal process he or she: Influences, or attempts to influence, the testimony, vote, decision, or opinion of that person.

"Force by definition can be actual or implied and is the power, violence or pressure directed against a person. Entry into the ground of another without consent is an example of implied force.

In a written statement, Hallday said commanders who were monitoring the protests "watched demonstrators gather and state via livestream their intent to go to Attorney General Cameron’s home ... knowing he is a participant in the Breonna Taylor case.

"Prior to arriving at the home, it was stated the intent of the protest was to 'escalate' their actions, which in the past has indicated violent or destructive behavior," Halladay said in the statement. "At one point on livestream, protestors are heard saying they will burn it down if they don’t get what they want."

Louisville attorney Lonita Baker told WDRB the chant was taken out of context during Tuesday's protests. During the time of livestream the group appears to be at Ballard High School. According to Baker, the crowd did not know they would be going to Cameron's house at that time.

She also said protesters have used the phrase during other protests and it refers to "burning down the justice system." Baker said she will continue to fight the felony charge on behalf of the group arrested.

According to the release, the protesters were in Cameron's yard without permission, looking in windows and occupying the street.

Police say they perceived the protesters' actions "to mean a threat of violence toward Attorney General Cameron, leading to the decision to charge under KRS 524.040."

The protesters also face charges of disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing. They were released from Louisville Metro Corrections on Wednesday.