Officer faces 33 months in prison for Breonna Taylor’s death

Louisville, KY. (APN) — Former Louisville Metropolitan Police Department officer Brett Hankinson was sentenced to 33 months in prison following a court decision on July 21st for violating Breonna Taylor’s civil rights during the botched 2020  Louisville Metro Police Department raid which resulted in the death of first responder and Grand Rapids, MI native Breonna Taylor.

Family Attorney Ben Crump praised the sentencing issuing a statement saying the following:

“While today’s sentence is not what we had hoped for –– nor does it fully reflect the severity of the harm caused –– it is more than what the Department of Justice sought. That, in itself, is a statement. The jury found Brett Hankison guilty, and that verdict deserved to be met with real accountability.

“Tamika Palmer asked for a sentence consistent with federal guidelines and the law. We respect the court’s decision, but we will continue to call out the DOJ’s failure to stand firmly behind Breonna’s rights and the rights of every Black woman whose life is treated as expendable.”

Taylor's sister, Dee Dee Taylor, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, addressed the sentencing in a poem posted on Facebook, with the following:

“They gave you no warning, no chance, no breath. 

Then gave him 33 months for your death.

How do I carry the weight of that pain,

While the world spins on, and justice feels vain?

I speak your name louder with each aching day.

Your beauty, your laughter won’t fade away.

Though courts fall short and hearts still break,

We rise for you — for every sister they take.

Breonna, sweet soul, you still light my way. 

In every speech, every tear, every word I say.

You deserved so much more than the silence and shame. 

So I’ll keep shouting your powerful name Breonna Taylor.”

The sentencing comes on the heels of the Department of Justice issuing a sentencing memorandum that recommended “one day of imprisonment” and a “three-year term of supervised release.”

Several officials in Kentucky objected to the DOJ’s memorandum. 

Kentucky Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins said in part:

”Breonna’s life mattered. A one-day sentence sends the wrong message. It tells the public that there are no real consequences for actions that take innocent lives. This is not justice, and our community deserves better.”

Kentucky councilwoman Donna Purvis also issued a statement saying the following:

“Thank God the judge ignored the DOJ’s recommended sentencing for Mr. Hankison.  This was a direct insult to the family of Breonna Taylor and the insensitivity added nothing but pain to the loss of her life.  My prayers will continue to be with Ms. Palmer and their entire family and love ones.”

On March 13, 2020 officers from the Louisville police department executed a no-knock search warrant at the home of Breonna Taylor, claiming that the no-knock warrant was related to suspected drug trafficking.  

Louisville police department officers say Taylor‘s warrant was one of five that targeted properties in the West End of Louisville where there was allegedly drug activity occurring from what they say they believe.

When officers broke into Taylor’s living space the person with her, who was in lawful possession of a handgun, fired one shot, hitting the first officer at the door, believing that intruders were breaking in.

Two officers fired a total of 22 shots into the apartment. One of those 22 shots hit Taylor in the chest and killed her.

The Justice Department originally charged four Louisville metro police department officers with federal-related crimes related to the death of Breonna Taylor. The crimes were civil rights offenses, unlawful conspiracies, unconstitutional use of force and obstruction offenses. 

In 2023 an investigation into the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) and the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government (Louisville Metro) by the Justice Department uncovered a pattern of conduct that violates the U.S. Constitution and federal law.

According to the Justice Department, the Louisville Metro Police Department had practices of things like:

• Unlawfully discriminates against Black people in its enforcement activities.

• Unlawfully executes search warrants without knocking and announcing.

• Conducts searches based on invalid warrants.

• Uses excessive force, including unjustified neck restraints and the unreasonable use of police dogs and tasers.

• Unlawfully discriminates against Black people in its enforcement activities.

Among several other violations.