Brett Hankison Convicted in Breonna Taylor Case

Former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison has been found guilty of using excessive force against Breonna Taylor during a botched raid in 2020, marking a significant development in a case that sparked nationwide protests.

At a Glance

Brett Hankison was convicted of violating Breonna Taylor’s civil rights for using excessive force against her.
Hankison fired 10 shots into Taylor’s apartment during a botched raid.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Verdict Reached After Multiple Trials

After three trials spanning two years, former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison has been found guilty of violating the civil rights of Breonna Taylor by using excessive force against her during a botched raid in March 2020. The jury reached this verdict following over 20 hours of deliberation across three days, initially indicating they were deadlocked on the charge.

Hankison was the only officer present during the raid to be charged federally. He was acquitted of a second count related to violating the civil rights of Taylor’s neighbor. The charge on which he was convicted carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, with sentencing set for March 12, 2025.

A federal jury in Louisville, Kentucky has found former detective Brett Hankison — who shot 10 times into Breonna Taylor's apartment in 2020 — guilty of violating her civil rights for using excessive force. pic.twitter.com/8wxY1yODTu

— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) November 3, 2024

Details of the Raid

On March 13, 2020, police conducted a raid as part of a narcotics investigation targeting Taylor’s ex-boyfriend, who lived elsewhere. Taylor’s boyfriend at the time, believing intruders were breaking in, fired a shot. This prompted two officers present to fire 22 shots, one of which fatally struck Taylor. Hankison himself fired 10 shots into Taylor’s apartment, none of which struck anyone, but some entered a neighboring apartment.

Prosecutors argued that Hankison acted recklessly, violating rules of deadly force by firing without a clear target. His defense team claimed he was acting to protect fellow officers, but the prosecution maintained he fired blindly into the apartment.

Reactions to the Verdict

The verdict has been met with relief and satisfaction from Taylor’s family and civil rights advocates. Tamika Palmer, Taylor’s mother, expressed gratitude for the outcome.

“I’m grateful. I’m grateful to God,” Palmer said of the verdict.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland spoke after the trial, stating, “His use of deadly force was unlawful and put Ms. Taylor in harm’s way.” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke highlighted the significance of recognizing the violation of Taylor’s civil rights.

Taylor’s death, along with other high-profile incidents, led to national outrage and calls for police reform, especially from Left-leaning advocates. The case became a significant part of the Black Lives Matter movement and sparked nationwide protests against racial injustice. In response, Louisville banned no-knock warrants, and the city settled a lawsuit with Taylor’s family for $12 million.