A federal jury has found former Louisville officer Brett Hankison guilty of using unlawful deadly force during the 2020 raid that led to the death of Breonna Taylor.
The jury of twelve deliberated for 20 hours over three days before determining that Hankison’s actions deprived Taylor of her constitutional rights, and his excessive force put Taylor and her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, in direct harm.
This conviction follows an earlier mistrial on similar charges against Hankison, but Taylor’s family remained undeterred in their pursuit of accountability.
The new verdict holds Hankison accountable for firing blindly into Taylor’s apartment during the botched raid—a use of force prosecutors described as reckless and intended to kill.
Hankison now faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, with sentencing scheduled for March 12, 2025.
The case has drawn national attention since the tragic night of March 13, 2020, when Taylor and Walker were awakened by police officers, including Hankison, who forcibly entered their apartment on a no-knock warrant.
Believing the officers to be intruders, Walker fired a shot in self-defense, prompting a hail of return fire from officers. It was a bullet from former officer Myles Cosgrove that ultimately took Taylor’s life, yet he and other officers involved have not faced charges related to her death.
Hankison’s trial highlighted his actions as particularly egregious, with testimony and evidence showing he fired indiscriminately, endangering not only Taylor and Walker but also their neighbors.
The verdict is a significant step toward justice for Taylor’s family, who have long demanded accountability for her tragic loss.
The jury’s decision marks a critical moment in the ongoing fight for justice in cases of police violence, underscoring the importance of lawful conduct even in high-stakes scenarios.
The persistence of Taylor’s family and supporters has ensured that this case remains a pivotal example in the call for police accountability and reform.
