Former Louisville police officer sentenced for violating Breonna Taylor's civil rights
Share and Follow

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

A federal judge has sentenced former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison to 33 months in prison for violating the civil rights of Breonna Taylor, who was killed in 2020 by law enforcement during a botched drug raid.

Hankison, 49, was convicted last year of violating Taylor’s civil rights, which could have resulted in a maximum sentence of life in prison. U.S. District Court Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, handed down the sentence on Monday afternoon.

Last week, the U.S. Justice Department asked a federal judge to sentence him to just one day in prison and three years of supervised probation, noting in a court filing that he “did not shoot Ms. Taylor and is not otherwise responsible for her death.”

“It is unfathomable that, after finally securing a conviction, the Department of Justice would seek a sentence so drastically below the federal guidelines,” a statement from national civil rights attorneys Ben Crump, Lonita Baker and Sam Aguiar, who represent the family of Taylor, said in a statement.

Brett Hankison courtroom March 2022

Former Louisville Police officer Brett Hankison examines a document as he answers questions from the prosecution, March 2, 2022. (Timothy D. Easley, Pool, File)

Her death, as well as the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, sparked mass racial justice protests around the country.

The Civil Rights Division during former Democratic President Joe Biden’s tenure brought criminal charges against the officers involved in both Taylor and Floyd’s death.

Brett Hankison testifies

Former Louisville Police officer Brett Hankison describes what he saw in the apartment of Breonna Taylor during testimony, March 2, 2022, in Louisville, Kentucky. (Timothy D. Easley, Pool)

A separate jury deadlocked on federal charges against Hankison in 2023, and he was acquitted on state charges of wanton endangerment in 2022.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report. 

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Another Christian community at risk in Africa as extremists and war take their toll

Urgent Alert: African Christian Communities Under Siege from Extremist Threats and Conflict

In Sudan, Christian communities are grappling with a relentless cycle of hunger,…
Victoria Beckham 'feels betrayed' by Brooklyn

Victoria Beckham’s Heartache: Feeling Betrayed by Son Brooklyn’s Recent Actions

Victoria Beckham reportedly feels a deep sense of betrayal following Brooklyn’s recent…
Marine vet's final text after Facebook Marketplace deal turned deadly

Tragic End to Facebook Marketplace Exchange: Marine Veteran’s Last Message Revealed

A highly honored Marine veteran tragically lost his life following a botched…
Feds say gun brandished in shooting; Dems cite Minnesota open carry

Federal Authorities Address Gun Violence Incident as Minnesota’s Open Carry Law Faces Democratic Scrutiny

Intense discussions have emerged surrounding the fatal shooting of Minneapolis nurse Alex…
Federal agents stand near the site of a shooting Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Hospital Records Confirm Death of Man Shot During Minneapolis Immigration Crackdown

Amidst the Trump administration’s intensified immigration policies, a shooting incident occurred, as…
'Rioters bite off' officer's finger after deadly Minneapolis shooting

Officer Severely Injured Amid Unrest Following Fatal Minneapolis Shooting

In a dramatic escalation of tensions in Minneapolis, two individuals involved in…
Video shows car suspected in Jacksonville hit-and-run that killed elderly man

Caught on Camera: Car Linked to Fatal Jacksonville Hit-and-Run Involving Elderly Pedestrian

In Jacksonville, Florida, a tragic hit-and-run incident has led authorities on a…
What we know about the 37-year-old man shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis

Breaking Down the Minneapolis Shooting: Key Details on the Federal Agents’ Fatal Encounter with a 37-Year-Old Man

In a city still reeling from a previous fatal incident, Minneapolis became…