The trial of Brett Hankison, a former Louisville police officer, commenced Wednesday, nearly two years after the botched raid that resulted in the death of Breonna Taylor. While Hankison is not charged in Taylor’s death, he faces three counts of wanton endangerment for firing shots that entered a neighboring apartment during the raid. The charges stem from the potential danger posed to the couple and their child residing next to Taylor. This high-profile case, unfolding against the backdrop of national protests over racial justice and police brutality, carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison for each count.
The prosecution, led by Assistant Kentucky Attorney General Barbara Maines Whaley, emphasized that the trial’s focus is not on Taylor’s death itself, for which the city of Louisville has already settled with her family. Instead, the case centers on Hankison’s decision to fire ten rounds near a side door, allegedly endangering the lives of Taylor’s neighbors. Whaley argued that Hankison’s actions escalated the situation, pointing out a prior altercation with a neighbor and the direction of his shots, which differed from those of the other officers.
Former officer Brett Hankison in court. (Court TV)
Defense attorney Stewart Mathews countered, arguing that the chaotic 10-15 second timeframe of the raid justified Hankison’s actions. He asserted that Hankison, believing his fellow officers were in danger after Taylor’s boyfriend fired at the officers entering the apartment, acted according to his training to “shoot until the threat is stopped.” While acknowledging Breonna Taylor’s peripheral role in this specific case, Mathews emphasized her connection to the events through the no-knock warrant that authorized the officers’ entry.
The Testimony of Cody Etherton: A Near Miss
The first witness, Cody Etherton, recounted the terrifying moments when he and his pregnant wife, Chelsey Napper, were awakened by the sounds of the raid. Believing their own apartment was being breached, Etherton investigated only to be met with drywall debris and the realization that bullets were penetrating the shared wall with Taylor’s apartment. He testified to the chaos of the moment, unsure of the exact number of shots fired, and the chilling realization of how close he came to being struck. “Another one or two inches and I woulda gotten shot. I would have never gotten to meet my son,” Etherton stated, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Jury Selection and Trial Logistics
A jury of ten men and five women, along with three alternates, has been selected to hear the case. The court declined to release demographic information about the jury. The larger-than-normal jury pool reflects the widespread attention Taylor’s case has garnered nationally and internationally. The trial, expected to last two weeks, will include a jury visit to Taylor’s apartment and testimony from Hankison himself, along with several other current and former police officers.
The Context of Breonna Taylor’s Death
Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black emergency medical technician, was fatally shot by Louisville police officers executing a no-knock narcotics warrant on March 13, 2020. Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, fired a shot believing intruders were breaking in, prompting officers to return fire. While Walker maintained he was unaware it was the police, the resulting exchange of gunfire led to Taylor’s death. No officers were charged directly in her death, a decision that fueled widespread protests and calls for police reform. This fact distinguishes Hankison’s trial, which specifically addresses the endangerment of Taylor’s neighbors, from the broader circumstances of her death.
The Broader Implications
The Hankison trial unfolds amid heightened scrutiny of police procedures and accountability, particularly in cases involving Black individuals. Taylor’s name, alongside George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, became synonymous with the movement for racial justice in 2020, galvanizing protests across the globe. The trial’s outcome will undoubtedly resonate beyond the courtroom, impacting ongoing conversations about police reform and the pursuit of justice in cases of alleged misconduct.
Looking Forward
As the trial progresses, the jury will weigh the evidence and testimonies to determine whether Hankison’s actions constituted wanton endangerment. The legal arguments presented by both the prosecution and defense will be crucial in shaping the jury’s understanding of the events that night and their implications for the charges brought against Hankison. The verdict, whatever it may be, will undoubtedly contribute to the ongoing national dialogue about police accountability and the pursuit of justice in high-profile cases.
