Kentucky’s new search warrant task force will likely focus on judiciary review, among other things – WLKY Louisville

Members of the new search warrant task force convened by Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron say they will likely look at the judicial review of warrants, among other things.The task force members were announced Thursday and their first meeting is expected to be announced in the coming days."What I'd like to do is find out what factors in the decision-making process by the judiciary, our gatekeepers," said Ramon McGee, a defense attorney from Louisville.Cameron announced the task force in January, as state lawmakers were considering new limits on no-knock search warrants, which they ultimately passed.Related: AG Daniel Cameron assembles task force to review Kentucky's search warrant processThe scrutiny comes after the death of Breonna Taylor, who died while LMPD officers were serving a no-knock search warrant. Subsequent investigations have focused on the propriety of the search warrant and the disproportionate number of them served in Black communities."If we can see how that process works, what judges are being told, how they factor that in deciding whether to grant a warrant, then I think we can make some real improvements in the process," McGee said.Some public criticism has already surfaced on the lack of minority representation on the task force. Three members of the 18 members are black, including McGree, UK's Vice President for Institutional Diversity George Wright and former Metro Council member Denise Bentley."I've received some personal emails asking why there's not more minorities on this particular task force and I've served on many task forces over the years," Bentley said. "The design was left up to the attorney general and I respect that, but I want to make sure people that contact me know I believe in transparency and even though there's not a broad representation of minorities on this task force, any issues, concerns or questions that the minority community has, feel free to filter them to me because I will be the voice."Only four of the members are based in Louisville, but Bullitt County Sheriff Walt Sholar said the issue affects the entire state. Sholar, a former prosecutor, said he is ready to "open any doors" while serving on the task force."We don't want to put stumbling blocks in front of law enforcement," he said. "But by the same token, we have to bear in mind both the Kentucky Constitution and the fourth amendment of the U.S. Constitution that people are entitled to be secure in their persons, homes and papers."

Members of the new search warrant task force convened by Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron say they will likely look at the judicial review of warrants, among other things.

The task force members were announced Thursday and their first meeting is expected to be announced in the coming days.

"What I'd like to do is find out what factors in the decision-making process by the judiciary, our gatekeepers," said Ramon McGee, a defense attorney from Louisville.

Cameron announced the task force in January, as state lawmakers were considering new limits on no-knock search warrants, which they ultimately passed.

Related: AG Daniel Cameron assembles task force to review Kentucky's search warrant process

The scrutiny comes after the death of Breonna Taylor, who died while LMPD officers were serving a no-knock search warrant. Subsequent investigations have focused on the propriety of the search warrant and the disproportionate number of them served in Black communities.

"If we can see how that process works, what judges are being told, how they factor that in deciding whether to grant a warrant, then I think we can make some real improvements in the process," McGee said.

Some public criticism has already surfaced on the lack of minority representation on the task force. Three members of the 18 members are black, including McGree, UK's Vice President for Institutional Diversity George Wright and former Metro Council member Denise Bentley.

"I've received some personal emails asking why there's not more minorities on this particular task force and I've served on many task forces over the years," Bentley said. "The design was left up to the attorney general and I respect that, but I want to make sure people that contact me know I believe in transparency and even though there's not a broad representation of minorities on this task force, any issues, concerns or questions that the minority community has, feel free to filter them to me because I will be the voice."

Only four of the members are based in Louisville, but Bullitt County Sheriff Walt Sholar said the issue affects the entire state. Sholar, a former prosecutor, said he is ready to "open any doors" while serving on the task force.

"We don't want to put stumbling blocks in front of law enforcement," he said. "But by the same token, we have to bear in mind both the Kentucky Constitution and the fourth amendment of the U.S. Constitution that people are entitled to be secure in their persons, homes and papers."

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Kentucky's new search warrant task force will likely focus on judiciary review, among other things - WLKY Louisville

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