Federal Jury Convicts Former Kentucky Police Detective of Using Excessive Force on Breonna Taylor
Verdict Reached After 20 Hours of Deliberation
A federal jury has convicted a former Kentucky police detective, Brett Hankison, of using excessive force on Breonna Taylor during a botched 2020 drug raid that left her dead. The 12-member jury returned the verdict late Friday night after clearing Hankison earlier in the evening on a charge that he used excessive force on Taylor’s neighbors.
First Conviction of a Louisville Police Officer Involved in the Deadly Raid
This is the first conviction of a Louisville police officer involved in the deadly raid. Some members of the jury were in tears as the verdict was read around 9:30 p.m. Friday. They had earlier indicated to the judge in two separate messages that they were deadlocked on the charge of using excessive force on Taylor, but chose to continue deliberating.
Taylor’s Mother Reacts to the Verdict
Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, celebrated the verdict with friends outside the federal courthouse, saying, "It took a lot of time. It took a lot of patience. It was hard. The jurors took their time to really understand that Breonna deserved justice."
Background of the Case
The death of 26-year-old Black woman, along with the May 2020 police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, sparked racial injustice protests nationwide. Hankison, 48, argued throughout the trial that he was acting to protect his fellow officers after Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, fired on them when they broke down Taylor’s door with a battering ram.
What Happened During the Raid
Hankison fired 10 shots into Taylor’s glass door and windows during the raid, but didn’t hit anyone. Some shots flew into a next-door neighbor’s adjoining apartment. Walker shot and wounded one of the officers, and Hankison testified that when Walker fired, he moved away, rounded the corner of the apartment unit, and fired into Taylor’s glass door and a window.
Conviction and Sentence
The conviction against Hankison carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. He will be sentenced on March 12 by U.S. District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings.
Reactions and Statements
Bernice King, the daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., called the verdict "a long-awaited moment of accountability." "While it cannot restore Breonna to her family, it represents a crucial step in the pursuit of justice and a reminder that no one should be above the law," she said in a social media post Friday night.
FAQs
Q: What was the outcome of the trial?
A: A federal jury convicted Brett Hankison of using excessive force on Breonna Taylor during a botched 2020 drug raid.
Q: How long did the jury deliberate?
A: The jury deliberated for more than 20 hours over three days.
Q: What is the maximum sentence for the conviction?
A: The conviction carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Q: When will Hankison be sentenced?
A: He will be sentenced on March 12 by U.S. District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings.
