Charges Dropped Against Ex-Officers in Breonna Taylor Case

Judge dismisses case against former Louisville police officers over fatal 2020 shooting.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 5:00pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a police badge reflecting a bright, harsh light, conceptually representing the ongoing challenges in achieving justice for victims of police violence.The dismissal of charges against former officers in the Breonna Taylor case raises further questions about accountability in high-profile police shootings.Louisville Today

A federal judge in Kentucky has agreed to dismiss charges against two former Louisville police officers who were accused of providing false information on a search warrant that led to the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor in her apartment in 2020.

Why it matters

The Breonna Taylor case sparked nationwide protests over police brutality and racial injustice. The dismissal of charges against the former officers raises further questions about accountability in high-profile police shootings.

The details

Judge Charles R. Simpson III ruled to toss the charges against former Louisville police officers Joshua Jaynes and Kelly Goodlett. They were accused of falsifying information to obtain the search warrant that led to the deadly raid on Taylor's apartment in March 2020.

  • The charges against the former officers were filed in August 2022.
  • Judge Simpson made the ruling to dismiss the charges on March 28, 2026.

The players

Judge Charles R. Simpson III

A federal judge in Kentucky who presided over the case against the former Louisville police officers.

Joshua Jaynes

A former Louisville police officer who was charged with providing false information to obtain the search warrant that led to Breonna Taylor's death.

Kelly Goodlett

A former Louisville police officer who was also charged with falsifying information on the search warrant.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must continue to fight for justice and accountability in cases of police violence against Black Americans.”

— Ben Crump, Civil rights attorney

What’s next

The decision to dismiss the charges against the former officers is expected to be appealed by civil rights advocates.

The takeaway

The dismissal of charges against the former Louisville police officers in the Breonna Taylor case underscores the ongoing challenges in achieving accountability for police-involved shootings, even in high-profile incidents that sparked nationwide protests.