Sgt. Johnathan Mattingly, one of the officers who shot and killed Breonna Taylor last year, is writing a book about the incident.
The Courier-Journal reported Mattingly is in the process of writing The Fight For Truth: The Inside Story Behind The Breonna Taylor Tragedy.” The book is being published by the Post Hill Press, a publishing company that prints pop-culture, self-help, health, and conservative political books.
The Courier-Journal learned of the book when Mattingly contacted the paper for permission to use a staff photo from the ensuing protests. The book was set to be distributed by Simon & Schuster, however after it faced fierce backlash, the publisher reversed course.
“Like much of the American public, earlier today Simon & Schuster learned of plans by distribution client Post Hill Press to publish a book by Jonathan Mattingly,” the publisher said in a statement. “We have subsequently decided not to be involved in the distribution of this book.”
It is not clear if Simon & Schuster backing out will affect the book’s release. Louisville Rep. Attica Scott responded to the news on Twitter.
None of the seven officers that were involved in the raid that killed Taylor were directly charged
with her death. Louisville Attorney General Daniel Cameron only charged one of the officers, Brett Hankison, with wanton endangerment. A charge that carries a five-year sentence and a $10,000 fine. Three more officers were fired for their actions but were not charged.Taylor, a former EMT, and her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, were asleep the night of March 13 when Louisville Metro Police barged
into her home with a no-knock warrant in relation to a drug investigation. The noise woke Taylor, who believed someone was trying to break in. Walker, who is a registered gun owner, fired a shot toward their bedroom door.The police responded, firing a bevy of shots toward the couple and hitting Taylor five times. Detective Hankison has since been fired for his actions.