Former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison has been sentenced to 33 months in federal prison after being convicted of a civil rights violation in connection with the March 2020 police raid that resulted in the death of Breonna Taylor.
Hankison, however, did not hit or injure anyone during the incident and was the only officer charged criminally for using his weapon during the chaotic scene—despite the fact that Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, initiated the shootout by firing on police first.
The Raid and Trial
The nighttime raid occurred as part of a lawful narcotics warrant targeting Taylor’s ex-boyfriend. Inside the apartment, Kenneth Walker, Taylor’s current boyfriend, fired first and struck one officer in the leg. Police returned fire. Taylor was tragically killed in the exchange.
Hankison, who fired shots through the side of the apartment after believing officers were under attack, was later accused of violating civil rights by “firing blindly.” His rounds did not hit anyone.
After a mistrial in 2023, Hankison was retried in 2024 and convicted on one count of using excessive force.
DOJ Pushes for Prison Time
The Department of Justice, under the Biden administration, pushed for prison time despite acknowledging in its own memorandum:
“None of those shots wounded anyone.”
The DOJ even admitted that this case is unprecedented, stating:
“Counsel is unaware of another prosecution in which a police officer has been charged under the Fourth Amendment for returning fire and not injuring anyone.”
Despite this, the DOJ pursued a second trial after failing to secure a conviction the first time. Hankison was ultimately sentenced to 33 months in prison, though the DOJ requested only one day of actual incarceration.
Political Undertones and Unequal Justice?
Critics argue that the prosecution is politically motivated and reflects a Biden-era DOJ hostile to law enforcement, even in situations where officers returned fire in self-defense.
In fact, the two other officers involved in the raid, who were also fired upon, were not charged, as their return fire was deemed justified.
Taylor’s death was ruled to be caused by the return fire after Walker shot at officers first.
Legal Background
Hankison was originally charged in 2022 with endangering the lives of Taylor, Walker, and neighboring residents. While a state court jury could not reach a verdict, federal prosecutors took the case to trial twice, finally securing a conviction after two trials.
The DOJ admitted the retrial was necessary only to obtain a unanimous verdict on a single count, despite the similar facts and elements presented in both trials.
