Former Philadelphia 76er and current basketball analyst, Charles Barkley received backlash after a comment made on Thursday, Sept 23, 2020, seemingly defending the officer who murdered Breonna Taylor.
“We do have to take into account that her boyfriend shoot at a cop” Barkley said. “I’m really sorry she lost her life……I don’t think we can put this in the same situation as George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, I just don’t believe that.”
Charles Barkley says you can't put the Breonna Taylor case in the same situation as George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery because her boyfriend shot at the police pic.twitter.com/8dMjVMZp39
Hall of Famer and co-host Shaquille O’Neal agreed with Barkley and now both are facing criticism on social media.
Barkley’s comment was made just after the long awaited verdict that was earth-shattering for those seeking justice for Taylor.
Former Louisville officer, Brett Hankison, wasn’t charged for the murder of Taylor but with “wanton endangerment” for firing into a neighbor’s apartment in Louisville.
Fans we disappointed that he used his platform to discredit the validity of Taylor murder and Barkley’s comments were inaccurate.
The officers were plainclothes cops and executed a no-knock warrant. Law enforcement stated that officers announced themselves when entering Taylor’s home; however, neighbors stated that the officer did not announce themselves before entering Taylor’s home.
There were several attempts were made to cover-up Taylor’s death. Initially, officers reports were blank and did not reflect Taylor’s death, Taylor’s boyfriend was offered a plea deal if he stated she was an accomplice in his drug dealing.
With all due respect to the TNT crew, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron did not present the full story in his public comments. He presented half-truths to shape a narrative. The police were careless and reckless and tried to cover their ass https://t.co/AmSj4eZwnJ