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
Band Together Texas benefit concert to be held at Moody Center

Texas Benefit Concert: Band Together at the Moody Center

AUSTIN (KXAN) The Moody Center in Austin will hold a benefit concert…
Dentist charged with wife's fatal poisoning admitted to past drugging

Dentist Accused of Wife’s Fatal Poisoning Confessed to Previous Drugging

The Colorado dentist accused of killing his wife by poisoning allegedly admitted…
Iran will not give up nuclear enrichment, top official confirms in exclusive Fox News interview

Iran will not give up nuclear enrichment, top official confirms in exclusive Fox News interview

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Iran on Monday confirmed…
Grandson of Dog the Bounty Hunter's wife dies in Florida shooting accident

Grandson of Dog the Bounty Hunter’s wife dies in Florida shooting accident

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The 13-year-old grandson of…
The 5 Senate seats most likely to flip in 2026

Five Senate Seats That Could Change Party Control in 2026

An already active start to the 2026 cycle has kicked into overdrive…
Diet that sheds weight fast by eating MORE

Rapid Weight Loss Diet: Boost Results by Eating More

At 65 years old, I’ve hit a critical point. I’m absolutely fed…
Prince William and Prince Harry's cousin, 20, found dead with a firearm nearby: report

Report: Cousin of Prince William and Prince Harry, 20, Discovered Deceased with Gun Nearby

Prince William and Prince Harry’s cousin, Rosie Roche, is dead at the…
Trump backtracks on after-school funding after bipartisan push

Trump Reconsiders After-School Funding Following Bipartisan Pressure

Stakeholders and lawmakers are cheering after the Trump administration ended a pause…