Brett Hankison Convicted: Landmark Verdict in Breonna Taylor Case

A federal jury has convicted former Louisville police detective Brett Hankison of using excessive force during the botched drug raid that led to Breonna Taylor’s death in March 2020.

The verdict, delivered late on Friday night, marks the first conviction of a police officer involved in the raid.

The jury deliberated for over 20 hours across three days, ultimately finding Hankison guilty after initially indicating they were deadlocked on one of the charges.

While he was acquitted of using excessive force against Taylor’s neighbors, the conviction carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Hankison fired ten shots into Taylor’s apartment during the raid, although no one was hit by his bullets. His defense claimed he acted in self-defense after Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, fired at the officers when they entered.

Prosecutors countered that Hankison’s actions were reckless, highlighting that he fired without seeing his target, violating fundamental rules regarding the use of deadly force.

This case has drawn significant attention and was a catalyst for nationwide protests against racial injustice, alongside the killing of George Floyd. Previous attempts to convict Hankison had ended in a deadlocked jury or acquittal on state charges. As a result of this conviction, there is renewed scrutiny on the actions of the other officers involved, who have not faced charges for Taylor’s death.

The trial underscored the complexities surrounding police conduct and accountability, particularly in cases involving the use of force against marginalized individuals.