Ex-Kentucky officer sentenced to nearly 3 years for role in Breonna Taylor raid

U. S. District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings sentenced former Kentucky police officer Brett Hankison to nearly three years in prison for his role in the 2020 raid that resulted in Breonna Taylor's death. The judge dismissed a Justice Department recommendation for no prison time, asserting that Hankison's actions warranted a more severe penalty. During the raid, Hankison fired 10 shots without identifying a target, leading to widespread protests against police brutality.

The raid's aftermath, coupled with George Floyd's killing, fueled a national outcry for racial justice. Hankison is the only officer charged in the case, while the other officers involved were deemed justified in their actions. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump condemned the Justice Department's prior leniency suggestion, labeling it a betrayal of Taylor's legacy. The sentencing has sparked renewed tensions in Louisville, with police arresting four individuals for creating disturbances outside the courthouse. Community leaders continue to call for accountability and reform within the police department.