Brett Hankison fired fire at Taylor’s apartment, but none of the rounds collided with Taylor or his neighbors. DOJ sought a one-day prison sentence.
Brett Hankison received a 33-month ruling in the Brenna Taylor case
Brett Hankison was one of the Louisville police officers who took part in the failed raid of Brenna Taylor’s home, which led to her death.
The former Louisville police officer was sentenced to 33 months in prison for violating the civil rights of Breana Taylor, a 26-year-old black woman whose death sparked demonstrations for national equality.
The July 21 ruling opposed a last-minute request from federal prosecutors that Brett Hankison would receive a one-day sentence.
In March 2020, staff at the time fired 10 rounds into Taylor’s apartment, three of which were moved to adjacent units. All of the rounds fired by Hankison attacked Taylor and his neighbors, but he was accused of violating their civil rights in 2022.
His first trial on these charges ended in 2023 with misinformation. In November, the second federal ju judge found Hankison guilty of violating Taylor’s civil rights, but acquitted him of violating his neighbor’s rights.
Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, several other families and her then boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, all spoke to court to ask the judge to impose the biggest penalty.
“A part of me was taken away from me that day. You have the power to create a first day of true accountability today,” Palmer told the judge.
Hankison faced the largest life sentence in prison, but the Department of Justice recommended a one-day sentence. This is considered to be “already served as a “respondent gets credit for the day he makes his first appearance, and is a $100 fine and a three-year supervised release.”
The verdict, District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings, criticised the prosecutors for making a “180 degree” turn in their approach to the case, saying political factors seem to have influenced them.
“This sentence is not measured and cannot be measured on Taylor’s life and the entire incident,” Jennings said.
In a brief statement to the court, Hankison apologised to Taylor’s family and friends, saying that he would have acted differently if he had known about preparing the search warrant that led police to Taylor’s home that night.
“I wouldn’t have fired a gun,” he said.
Taylor’s family and supporters respond to the sentence
Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, told reporters outside the court that prosecutors were not offensive enough, reported the Louisville Courier Journal, part of the USA Today Network.
“There were no charges there for us. There were no charges there for Breana,” Palmer said. “According to what they recommended, we were able to leave without any problems, so we are grateful to the judge who gave us some time.”
Lawyers for Taylor’s family, Lonita Baker, praised the judge’s decision and said it was a step towards justice. Baker also urged the community to continue fighting for prosecution of others involved in the attack.
“This is one fight. This community has two other officers that this Department of Justice must demand that it continues to prosecute,” Baker said. “Kyle Meaney and Joshua Janes, we can’t forget them.”
Breana Taylor’s aunt Bianca Austin was among the four people arrested outside the courthouse as protesters awaited Hankison’s ruling, according to a report by the Louisville Courier Journal, part of the USA Today Network.
Louisville Prison records show that the 44-year-old was charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing a highway. Video shot by the Courier Journal shows Austin standing at the intersection as the car attempted to move down the street.
“We understand that this case caused pain and damage between the department and the community. We especially value and value the (first) amendments. However, what we saw in front of the street court today was not safe, accepted or legal,” police department spokesman Matthew Sanders said in a statement. “It is not acceptable to create conflicts, kick vehicles, or create unsafe environments.”
– Killian Burler, Louisville Courier Journal
DOJ sought a one-day prison sentence
According to court documents, a preliminary text report prepared by the U.S. Probation Service recommended sentences between 11. 25 and 14 years. However, in a memo filed on July 16, the Justice Department said the scope was incorrectly calculated and was “excessive” and “recommended that the court “allows a significant downward departure.”
“The government respects the ju-secretary verdict, which almost certainly guarantees that Hankison will not be able to serve as a law enforcement officer again, and that he will not legally own the firearm again,” the memorandum said. “However, adding statements within the long guidelines range, along with these results, would be unfair, even if properly calculated – in the government’s view, in these circumstances.”
The DOJ’s recommendations elicited criticism from activists and Louisville residents. In a joint statement, the lawyer representing Taylor’s family was called the proposed sentence “inhumiliation.”
“This sets a dangerous precedent. If a police officer is found guilty of violating someone’s constitutional rights, there must be real accountability and justice. If you recommend just one day in prison, you send the undeniable message that white police officers could violate the civil rights of black Americans with almost intense immunity.”
What happened to Breana Taylor?
Emergency room technician Taylor was inside the apartment at around 12:40am on March 13, 2020 when he was fatally injured by a Plain Cross officer during a drug investigation.
An officer who said he announced himself several times before the mandatory entry was about to provide a search warrant for knock knock. Neither Taylor nor Walker were targets for the investigation, and no drugs were found at home. Walker and several neighbors also say they have not heard officers identify themselves as law enforcement.
As police entered the apartment, Walker shot an officer in the foot. He later said he believed the officer was an intruder.
Taylor’s death sparked months of protest in Louisville and across the country.
The Louisville Metro Police and the city’s government have reached an agreement with the Department of Justice on civil rights reform. However, the plan was delayed by a lack of approval from a federal judge, and the DOJ announced in May that it would waive negotiations. But local officials, including Mayor Craig Greenberg, say they are still ready to move forward.
The verdict comes after years of legal battle
Hankison was fired in June 2020 and charged at the state level in September 2020, creating three unjust dangers against a bullet that entered the adjacent force. It was revealed in March 2022 that he had not committed any crime in Wanton’s dangers.
He was charged with two federal counts of civil rights deprivation the following August. The move comes as prosecutors levelled additional charges against three other officers involved in the warrant used in the attack (Joshua Janes, Kelly Goodlett and Kyle Meaney).
Goodlett pleaded guilty in August 2022 to assisting in forging an affidavit for searching Taylor’s apartment. Case against Meany – A lawsuit charged with two counts of civil rights deprivation and lies to federal investigators, and Jaynes is charged with two counts of civil rights deprivation, two counts of record and two conspiracy.
Contributor: Rachel Smith, Louisville Courier Journal. Reuters
