Former Louisville Officer Brett Hankison Receives 33-Month Prison Sentence for Breonna Taylor Civil Rights Violation
Former Louisville police detective Brett Hankison was sentenced to 33 months in prison on July 21, 2025, for violating Breonna Taylor's civil rights during the 2020 raid that led to her death. U.S. District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings handed down the sentence, also including three years of supervised release.
The sentencing follows Hankison's conviction by a federal jury in November 2024. This marks the first time an officer involved in the case has been held criminally responsible. The sentence comes after a previous federal trial in 2023 ended in a mistrial, and his acquittal on state wanton endangerment charges in 2022.
Judge Rejects DOJ's Recommendation for Leniency
Judge Jennings explicitly rejected the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) recommendation that Hankison serve only "time served" (one day) and three years of supervised probation. The judge called the DOJ's arguments "incongruous and inappropriate," arguing that a sentence without prison time would minimize the jury's verdict.
Controversial Shift in DOJ's Stance
The DOJ's recommendation for minimal prison time, submitted by Harmeet Dhillon, who leads the Civil Rights Division, represents a significant shift from the department's stance during the prosecution under the Biden administration. The memo stated that Hankison "did not shoot Ms. Taylor and is not otherwise responsible for her death," and that a substantial prison term would be "unjust."
Taylor Family's Reaction to the Sentencing
Attorneys for Breonna Taylor's family stated that while the 33-month sentence was not their desired outcome, it was "more than what the Department of Justice sought. That, in itself, is a statement." They also criticized the DOJ's failure to "stand firmly behind Breonna's rights."
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing the family, expressed gratitude that Hankison would "at least" be incarcerated and have time to consider the value of Breonna Taylor's life.
Tamika Palmer, Breonna Taylor's mother, delivered an emotional victim impact statement, describing Hankison's actions as "reckless," "negligent," and "rooted in a system that dehumanizes Black lives."
Arrests Made Outside Courthouse During Sentencing
On the day of the sentencing, at least four people were arrested outside the federal courthouse, including Taylor's aunt, Bianca Austin. The arrests were made for "creating confrontation, kicking vehicles, or otherwise creating an unsafe environment."
Background: The Death of Breonna Taylor
On March 13, 2020, Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black emergency medical technician, was fatally shot by Louisville police officers during a no-knock drug raid on her apartment. The incident ignited widespread protests against police brutality and racial injustice, occurring alongside the killing of George Floyd.
Key Figures in the Case
Breonna Taylor: A Black medical worker whose death sparked national outrage and became a focal point for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Brett Hankison: The former Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) detective who fired 10 shots into Taylor's apartment during the raid. Though his shots did not directly strike Taylor, he was the only officer charged federally in connection to the incident.
Kenneth Walker: Breonna Taylor's boyfriend, who was present during the raid. He fired one shot, believing intruders were breaking into the apartment, which struck an officer.
Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD): The police department responsible for the raid, which has faced intense scrutiny and calls for reform.
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ): The federal agency responsible for prosecuting Hankison for civil rights violations. The DOJ's recommendation for a lenient sentence sparked significant controversy.
U.S. District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings: The judge who presided over Hankison's trials and delivered the 33-month sentence, rejecting the DOJ's recommendation.
Tamika Palmer and Breonna Taylor's Family: Advocates for justice for Breonna Taylor. They received a $12 million settlement from the city of Louisville in 2020.
Civil Rights Advocates/Black Lives Matter Movement: The movement that amplified calls for police accountability and systemic reform following Breonna Taylor's death.
Controversy Surrounding DOJ's Initial Recommendation
The Justice Department's initial recommendation for a one-day sentence for Hankison was met with widespread criticism from civil rights organizations, Taylor's family, and Judge Jennings. Critics viewed it as an insult and a betrayal of the jury's decision, suggesting it would allow officers to violate the civil rights of Black Americans with impunity.
Limited Accountability and Calls for Systemic Change
Despite the conviction and sentencing, many activists and Taylor's family maintain that full justice has not been served. No officers have been directly charged in connection to Taylor's death, and Hankison is the only officer to face federal charges resulting in a prison sentence.
Breonna Taylor's case continues to underscore the issues of police misconduct, the use of no-knock warrants, and systemic racism within law enforcement. The case prompted ongoing demands for police reform and accountability throughout the United States.
