News ‘Lawful but awful’: U.S. self-defense laws questioned after Breonna Taylor’s death September 25, 2020 Kenny Jacoby and Jessica Priest, USA TODAY Comments Off on ‘Lawful but awful’: U.S. self-defense laws questioned after Breonna Taylor’s death The U.S. legal system evolved to protect police and civilians alike who accidentally kill or injure innocent bystanders in the course of self-defense.