The trial of Brett Hankison, a former Louisville police officer, begins this week in federal court. He’s charged with violating Breonna Taylor’s civil rights during the botched 2020 raid that led to her death. This trial represents a second attempt to hold Hankison accountable after his acquittal in a state trial last year.
Former Louisville Police officer Brett Hankison talks about seeing a subject in a firing stance in the apartment as he is cross-examined in Louisville, Ky.
A Deeper Look into the Breonna Taylor Raid
The events surrounding Breonna Taylor’s death began with a flawed drug search warrant executed on her apartment. Her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, fired a single shot, believing intruders were breaking in, striking Officer Jonathan Mattingly in the leg. Officers returned fire, tragically killing Taylor in her hallway. Of the 33 bullets fired, investigators determined 32 came from police weapons.
Hankison’s actions that night are the focus of the federal trial. While other officers engaged at the front door, Hankison moved to the side of the apartment and fired ten rounds through Taylor’s window and patio door. He claimed he believed he saw a figure with a rifle inside, a claim disputed by other officers at the scene. No drugs or long guns were found in Taylor’s apartment, and Hankison’s bullets entered a neighboring apartment occupied by a family.
The Federal Charges and Potential Consequences
Hankison faces two counts of civil rights violations, each carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. He is one of four officers charged by the U.S. Department of Justice in connection with the Taylor case. The charges include conspiracy to deprive Taylor of her civil rights and falsifying the search warrant affidavit.
This undated photo provided by Taylor family attorney Sam Aguiar shows Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Ky.
The Context of Racial Injustice and Police Brutality
The killing of Breonna Taylor, along with the death of George Floyd, fueled widespread protests across the United States in the summer of 2020. These events brought renewed attention to issues of racial injustice and police brutality, prompting demands for police reform and accountability.
Other Officers Involved and Their Legal Status
Kelly Goodlett, another former Louisville officer, pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge for her role in falsifying the search warrant. She is expected to testify against former detective Joshua Jaynes and former Sgt. Kyle Meany, who are also charged with conspiring to deprive Taylor of her civil rights. Their trial is scheduled for next year. Hankison is the only officer charged who was present at the scene of the raid.
Hankison’s Previous Trial and Testimony
In his 2022 state trial, Hankison testified that he believed he saw a figure with an AR-15 rifle inside Taylor’s apartment, justifying his decision to fire. He maintained he did nothing wrong, although he acknowledged firing into the window and patio door. He also stated that Taylor “didn’t need to die that night.” The jury acquitted him of wanton endangerment charges.
Former Louisville Police officer Brett Hankison describes what he saw in the apartment of Breonna Taylor during testimony Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Louisville, Ky.
The Upcoming Federal Trial
The federal trial, presided over by U.S. District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings, is expected to last two to three weeks. Jury selection began on Monday, with potential jurors undergoing individual questioning. The trial was delayed to allow Hankison’s lawyers time to review the substantial evidence provided by federal prosecutors.
Conclusion: Seeking Justice for Breonna Taylor
The federal trial of Brett Hankison marks another step in the pursuit of justice for Breonna Taylor. The outcome of this trial will significantly impact the ongoing national conversation surrounding police accountability and the need for meaningful reforms within law enforcement. The trial will examine the complex legal questions surrounding the use of force by police officers and the protection of civil rights, especially in the context of no-knock warrants. The nation will be watching as the judicial system grapples with these critical issues and determines the appropriate level of accountability for the tragic death of Breonna Taylor.
