DOJ Seeks Dismissal of Charges for Former Officers in Breonna Taylor Case

A controversial legal move that has sparked outrage from civil rights groups

Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:04pm

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The Department of Justice has requested that a federal judge drop charges against two former Louisville police officers involved in the 2020 incident that resulted in the death of Breonna Taylor, an African American woman. The DOJ's motion to dismiss the charges has been met with strong criticism from civil rights organizations who view it as a betrayal of justice.

Why it matters

Breonna Taylor's death, along with the killing of George Floyd, sparked nationwide protests against systemic police brutality and racial injustice. The DOJ's attempt to drop the charges against the former officers is seen as a setback in the pursuit of accountability and could further erode public trust in the justice system.

The details

In August 2022, the DOJ charged officers Joshua Jaynes and Kyle Meany with using excessive force, fabricating information to justify the search of Taylor's home, and attempting to conceal their actions. Both officers were subsequently dismissed from their positions. However, the DOJ has now filed a motion to dismiss the charges, citing a review of the case and the 'interest of justice'.

  • Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by Louisville police officers in March 2020.
  • In August 2022, the DOJ charged officers Joshua Jaynes and Kyle Meany in connection with Taylor's death.
  • The DOJ has now filed a motion to dismiss the charges against the former officers.

The players

Joshua Jaynes

A former Louisville police officer who was charged by the DOJ in connection with Breonna Taylor's death.

Kyle Meany

A former Louisville police officer who was charged by the DOJ in connection with Breonna Taylor's death.

Breonna Taylor

An African American woman who was fatally shot by Louisville police officers in March 2020, sparking nationwide protests against police brutality.

Department of Justice

The federal agency that has requested the dismissal of charges against the former Louisville police officers involved in Breonna Taylor's death.

NAACP Louisville Branch

A civil rights organization that has strongly criticized the DOJ's request to dismiss the charges, calling it 'callous' and 'deeply disrespectful to the memory of Breonna Taylor'.

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What they’re saying

“The Department of Justice's request is not only callous but deeply disrespectful to the memory of Breonna Taylor and to her family, who have waited six long years for justice. This action sends a troubling message and risks undermining public trust in our justice system.”

— NAACP Louisville Branch

“Meany is 'incredibly grateful for today's filing' and was 'looking forward to putting this matter behind him and moving on with his life.'”

— Michael Denbow, Meany's attorney

“Jaynes 'did absolutely nothing wrong.'”

— Thomas Clay, Jaynes' lawyer

What’s next

The federal judge will now decide whether to grant the DOJ's request to dismiss the charges against the former Louisville police officers.

The takeaway

The DOJ's attempt to drop the charges against the former officers involved in Breonna Taylor's death has been met with outrage from civil rights groups, who view it as a betrayal of justice and a setback in the fight against systemic police brutality. This controversial legal move risks further eroding public trust in the justice system and underscores the ongoing challenges in achieving accountability for high-profile cases of police violence.