Grand Jury’s Breonna Taylor Decision Sparks Nationwide Outrage; Justin Bieber, Common Tweet In Anger

The recent verdict by a Kentucky grand jury to indict only one of the three cops involved in the police shooting that led to the death of Breonna Taylor has sparked massive outrage in Louisville and online. Scores of celebrities and noted voices took to social media to express their disappointment in the jury’s decision.

“Shame on you Kentucky. Breonna Taylor deserves justice,” shared Justin Bieber as an Instagram story, as soon as the verdict was announced. Actress Viola Davis thought along similar lines and condemned the decision on Twitter.

Rapper Common posted multiple tweets in support of Taylor, and so did “Schitt’s Creek” creator and star Dan Levy.

NBA player Donovan Mitchell, who attended the University of Louisville, voiced a similar stance.

What added to the fury was that the former Louisville police Detective Brett Hankison indictment had nothing to do with Taylor’s death. But, rather, was a charge for firing into a neighboring apartment. The charge comes under the category of a class D felony, holding the guilty to five years in prison and an up to $10,000 fine. As per a recent report, “Circuit Judge Annie O’Connell issued a warrant for Hankison’s arrest and set bond at $15,000 full cash.”

Taylor, a 26-year-old EMT, was fast asleep in her apartment on March 13 when cops — including Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and officers Cosgrove and Hankison —barged into the apartment and opened fire. The fateful incident triggered an exchange of gunfire with Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker. Walker was accused of firing shots first.

Speculations ran amok after actress Kerry Washington lambasted Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, hinting at how he’s a potential pick by President Trump to fill the Supreme Court vacancy that came with the demise of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Celebrities aside, a resident of Kentucky expressed his shock and disgust over the recent decision. “The justice system I was raised to believe in holds people responsible for their actions,” said Clooney in a statement to Deadline. “Her name was Breonna Taylor and she was shot to death in her bed by 3 white police officers, who will not be charged with any crime for her death. I know the community. I know the commonwealth. And I was taught in the schools and churches of Kentucky what is right and what is wrong. I’m ashamed of this decision,” he added.