Hankison Sentenced Despite DOJ’s Push for Leniency
Former Louisville Metro Police Department detective Brett Hankison was sentenced on July 21 to 33 months in federal prison for firing 10 bullets during the 2020 raid that led to the death of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency room technician.
The sentence came despite the U.S. Department of Justice requesting Hankison receive just a one-day sentence. Federal Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings rejected that recommendation, describing the DOJ’s July 16 sentencing memorandum as “troubling” and expressing frustration over the arguments federal prosecutors made in court for leniency.
“The seriousness of this crime is obvious,” Judge Jennings stated during the hearing.
Hankison Addresses Court: “I Never Would Have Fired”
Addressing the court, Hankison expressed regret, saying that had he known all the facts about the situation, “I never would have fired my gun.” He claimed at the time he believed his fellow officers were being “executed,” and he fired in response to what he thought were muzzle flashes.
Civil Rights Violations and Trial History
Hankison was found guilty in November 2024 by a federal jury of violating Breonna Taylor’s civil rights. The conviction stemmed from the 10 shots he fired blindly through a covered sliding glass door and window into Taylor’s apartment. Though none of the bullets struck Taylor, some penetrated a neighboring apartment where a man, a pregnant woman, and a child were present.
He was previously fired by LMPD for “blindly” shooting into the apartment and had been acquitted in March 2022 on state-level wanton endangerment charges for the same conduct. A mistrial was declared in his first federal trial in November 2023 after the jury failed to reach a verdict.
Public Outcry and DOJ Criticism
Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump Calls Out DOJ Shift
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represented Taylor’s family, criticized the DOJ for shifting its tone following the 2020 presidential transition.
“The prosecutors seemed to argue more for the defendant, Brett Hankison, than they argued for the victims,” Crump said, leading chants of “Say her name!” outside the courthouse.
Crump called the sentence “a small step toward justice,” adding that Hankison will now have three years to think about Breonna Taylor and that her life mattered.
DOJ Memo Sparks Local Backlash
The DOJ’s recommendation for a one-day sentence stated that “reasonable minds might disagree” about whether Hankison’s actions qualified as a seizure under the Fourth Amendment. The memo, signed by senior DOJ civil rights counsel Robert J. Keenan, claimed the conviction would effectively bar Hankison from ever serving in law enforcement again or legally possessing a firearm.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg sharply criticized the DOJ’s position, asserting that Hankison’s actions warranted a much more serious prison sentence.
Victims and Families Feel Overlooked
Taylor’s Mother Denounces Prosecutors
During the hearing, Tamika Palmer, Breonna Taylor’s mother, condemned the DOJ’s handling of the case. She said Keenan never spoke with her and didn’t recognize her when she appeared in court.
Judge Jennings also voiced concern that the federal government failed to provide victim impact statements, calling the omission “disconcerting.”
Taylor’s Boyfriend: “Small Piece of Justice”
Kenneth Walker, Taylor’s boyfriend who fired a single shot believing intruders were breaking in during the raid, said Hankison’s prison time felt like a small measure of accountability.
“Brett Hankison told me I was going to jail for the rest of my life. So I definitely feel some type of something to see him going, even if it’s a little time,” Walker told reporters.
Federal Charges Still Pending for Others Involved
Several former LMPD officers still face legal consequences. Kyle Meany and Joshua Jaynes face federal charges related to the falsified warrant that led to the raid. Another former officer, Kelly Goodlett, pleaded guilty in 2022 to conspiring to falsify the search warrant and misleading federal investigators. She has not yet been sentenced.
Protests and Security Heightened Outside Courthouse
Arrests Ahead of Sentencing
Protests broke out ahead of Hankison’s sentencing, with four individuals—including Taylor’s aunt, Bianca Austin—arrested for blocking traffic and demonstrating outside the federal courthouse. One protester reportedly jumped onto the hood of a Louisville Water Co. truck.
Police Presence Intensifies Post-Sentencing
After the sentencing, at least 10 police cruisers were seen outside the courthouse, although the situation remained calm. The incident highlighted the emotional weight the case continues to carry for many in Louisville and across the nation.
