DOJ charges officers in Breonna Taylor’s death

Plus, Russia sentences Brittney Griner to 9 years in prison. Four officers are charged over the death of Breonna Taylor; WNBA star Brittney Griner is sentenced to nine years in prison. Tonight's Sentences was written by Jariel Arvin.   TOP NEWS Four officers face charges in Breonna Taylor's death Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Frontline Action Hub - The Department of Justice charged four current and former Louisville police officers over their involvement in the nighttime raid that killed Breonna Taylor. [[New York Times / Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs](] - In March 2020, police investigating drug trafficking killed 26-year-old Taylor during a raid on her apartment, setting off a wave of racial justice protests. [[Washington Post / Marisa Iati, Timothy Bella, and David Nakamura](] - Federal officials allege former officer Joshua Jaynes, and current officers Kelly Goodlett and Kyle Meany, falsified an affidavit to obtain a search warrant for Taylor’s home and conspired to cover up their involvement afterward. [[CNN / Eliott C. McLaughlin, Sonia Moghe, and Hannah Rabinowitz](] - Fired officer Brett Hankison is charged with the unconstitutional use of force for firing 10 shots through a window and door while the "no-knock" warrant was being served. [[Axios / Jacob Knutson](] - Last year, the Department of Justice opened an investigation into the Louisville police department’s policies and training. The probe, separate from Thursday’s indictment, is ongoing. [[Louisville Courier Journal / Billy Kobin and Andrew Wolfson](] [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( Brittney Griner gets nine years in prison - Thursday, a Russian judge sentenced WNBA star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison on charges of bringing drugs into the country. [[People / Julie Mazziota](] - Griner has been detained in Russia, where she also plays for a professional basketball team, since February, when Russian officials found cannabis vape cartridges in her luggage. [[Associated Press / Jim Heintz](] - Griner received a near-maximum sentence for drug possession and smuggling and more than $16,000 in fines. Her lawyers plan to appeal. [[Yahoo / Jeff Eisenberg](] - However, the sentencing could clear the path for a US-Russia prisoner swap, if Griner is exchanged for a Russian arms dealer. [[Reuters](]   MISCELLANEOUS The Biden administration has declared a public health emergency to help combat the spread of monkeypox. [[NYT / Apoorva Mandavilli and Sheryl Gay Stolberg](] - China launched a series of missiles around Taiwan on Thursday in a show of force following House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit. [[Washington Post / Lily Kuo, Christian Shepherd, and Ellen Nakashima](] - Over the weekend, a mysterious sinkhole 656 feet deep opened near a Chilean mining town. [[NPR / Wynne Davis](] - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended state prosecutor Andrew Warren for refusing to criminalize abortion or health care for trans people. [[CNN / Steve Contorno](]   Support our journalism Reader contributions help keep newsletters like Sentences free for all. Support our work with a one-time gift today. [Give](   VERBATIM “Breonna Taylor should be alive today.” [[Attorney General Merrick Garland / Louisville Courier Journal](]   LISTEN TO THIS Even Better: Activism when you don't know where to start Every Thursday in August, you'll hear Even Better on Vox Conversations, a special series focused on helping people live better lives individually and collectively. [Listen now ▶](   Read more from Vox [The ludicrous idea that Trump is losing his grip on the GOP]( [Should you get another Covid-19 vaccine booster now or wait for the new shots?]( [The inflation prices that broke us]( [Did shark attacks eat into Woodrow Wilson’s votes in 1916?]( [How Gordon Ramsay’s lamb slaughter joke explains our confusing relationship with meat]( [Learn more about RevenueStripe...](   [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [YouTube]( This email was sent to {EMAIL}. Manage your [email preferences]( or [unsubscribe](param=sentences). If you value Vox’s unique explanatory journalism, support our work with a one-time or recurring [contribution](. View our [Privacy Notice]( and our [Terms of Service](. Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Floor 12, Washington, DC 20036. Copyright © 2022. All rights reserved.