LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A former Louisville Metro Police detective involved in the Breonna Taylor case appeared before the Louisville Metro Police Merit Board Thursday in an effort to get his job back.

What You Need To Know

  • The appeal hearing for fired LMPD detective Joshua Jaynes began Thursday

  • Jaynes is accused of violating two department policies 

  • His attorney says the termination was unjustified

  • The next hearing date is June 29 

Joshua Jaynes, who testified at his appeal hearing, was not at Breonna Taylor’s home the night officers shot and killed her, but prepared the search warrant for the raid, according to police. He was accused of lying to obtain the search warrant that led to Taylor's death.

Juniyah and Tamika Palmer, the sister and mother of Breonna Taylor, attended the appeal hearing of fired LMPD detective, Joshua Jaynes Thursday. (Spectrum News 1/Erin Kelly)

Five months ago, a letter from then Interim Police Chief Yvette Gentry stated Jaynes failed to complete a search warrant operations form and did not tell the truth under oath. 

“Jaynes represented in his affidavit for the search warrant that he took a very specific action and had a very specific source of information, but he had never taken that specific action and he did not have that specific source of information," said Brendan Daugherty, counsel for LMPD, in his opening statement before the board.

Jaynes' attorney, Thomas Clay, said his client's termination was not justified. 

“Joshua Jaynes, not only did not lie, he told the truth," he said. "You’re going to be convinced beyond any doubt that this termination was unjustified and you will order Detective Jaynes reinstated with all back pay and benefits."

Gentry's letter stated that it was not true that Jaynes verified through a U.S. Postal Inspector that Taylor’s ex-boyfriend, Jamarcus Glover, had been receiving packages at Taylor’s home. 

In his testimony Thursday, Jaynes said he verified the information through Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly. 

“I did not directly speak to them, no," Jaynes said. "When I wrote this, the 'affiant verified through a U.S. Postal Inspector,' I verified through Jon, who had the contact with the postal inspector’s office." 

Taylor’s family attended the hearing, but had no comment.

The next hearing date is June 29. 

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