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Published 15:05 IST, September 24th 2020

LeBron James "devastated, hurt, sad, mad" after Breonna Taylor's grand jury announcement

After Breonna Taylor's grand jury announcement, Los Angeles Lakers icon LeBron James was the first NBA player to react on the surprising verdict.

Reported by: Devika Pawar
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On March 13, Breonna Taylor was murdered by police officers after they barged into her house in a drug raid which went wrong. After fighting for justice for months, the grand jury's decision was announced, where prosecutors announced that one officer involved had been indicted. However, the indiction was not for her death, but for firing "wantonly and blindly". The announcement did not sit well with protesters, who demanded a harsher sentence for the case. 

Also read | Biden to protesters after Breonna Taylor ruling : 'No violence'

LeBron James reacts to the Breonna Taylor ruling over Wanton Endangerment

While trying to complete the 2019-20 season in the Ornaldo bubble, NBA players have been consistently voicing their support for Breonna Taylor, demanding justice for the 26-year-old woman. Following the announcement, NBA icon LeBron James was one of the first players to comment on the matter, expressing his devastation and anger over the ruling on Twitter. "We want Justice for Breonna yet justice was met for her neighbors' apartment walls and not her beautiful life," wrote the three-time NBA champion. 

Also read | LeBron James and Lakers demand justice for Breonna Taylor, sport parody MAGA hats, Breonna Taylor story summary

James went on to add that he was not surprised but is still heavy-hearted about the situation. "The most DISRESPECTED person on earth is THE BLACK WOMAN! I promise you I’ll do my best to change this as much as I can and even more," James wrote in another tweet as he proceeded to name all the "black queens" in his life from his grandmother to his daughter Zhuri. James was often seen wearing apparel supporting Taylor at the NBA bubble, including an altered Make America Great Again cap. Dwyane Wade and Danny Green are some other players who commented on the issue. 

Also read | LeBron James says 'Black Lives Matter' is a lifestyle, demands justice for Breonna Taylor: Breonna Taylor NBA protests

Breonna Taylor story summary: What is 'wanton endangerment'?

In connection to Breonna Taylor's death, the grand jury indicted former Lousiville police officer Brett Hankinson on three counts of wanton agreement. As per the Kentucky statute, someone is "guilty of wanton endangerment in the first degree when, under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, he wantonly engages in conduct which creates a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to another person."

This means that Hankinson is not charged with her death, and the department stated that he "wantonly and blindly" fired 10 rounds into her apartment. The felony is a Class D charge, and the maximum sentence can be for five years. If Hankinson is convicted, he will go in for five years for every count. However, a Class A felony will send a person in for a minimum of 20 years. The statement released by the attorney general Daniel Cameron added that "there is no conclusive evidence that any bullets fired from Detective Hankison's weapon struck Ms Taylor."

She was shot in her home as the police were carrying out a drug investigation. Officers added that their use of firearms was "justified" as her boyfriend fired at them first. The other officers, John Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove, were not charged. Six bullets hit Taylor, and the fatal shot should have killed her "within seconds to two minutes".

The National Police Association's spokesperson, retired sergeant Betsy Brantner Smith, stated that the officers had no choice, and couldn't stand there and get killed. Ben Crump, Taylor's family's attorney, disagreed with the charges. '"How ironic and typical that the only charges brought in this case were for shots fired into the apartment of a white neighbor," Crump said. 

Also read | Protest in Louisville after Breonna Taylor ruling and Wanton endangerement indiction

(Image credits: AP)

Updated 15:05 IST, September 24th 2020