Federal Jury Finds Ex-Officer Brett Hankison Guilty of Violating Breonna Taylor’s Rights

On Wednesday, a federal jury found former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison guilty of violating Breonna Taylor’s civil rights during the botched raid that led to her death in March 2020. This decision marks a significant moment in the ongoing fight for justice for Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman who was killed in her own home by police officers.

The jury deliberated for several hours before reaching their verdict, which found Hankison guilty of three counts of wanton endangerment for firing his weapon into Taylor’s apartment and the apartment of a neighboring family during the raid. The jury determined that Hankison’s actions showed a reckless disregard for the safety of Taylor and her neighbors, and that he violated Taylor’s Fourth Amendment rights to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.

Taylor’s death sparked widespread outrage and protests across the country, as her killing at the hands of police officers highlighted the systemic issues of police violence and racism in the United States. The officers involved in the raid claimed they were conducting a drug investigation, but no drugs were found in Taylor’s apartment, and she was not the target of the investigation.

Hankison was fired from the Louisville Metro Police Department in June 2020 for his role in the raid, but this federal conviction holds him accountable for his actions and sends a message that police officers cannot act with impunity when violating the rights of citizens. While this verdict is a step in the right direction, it is important to remember that justice for Taylor is still far from being fully realized.

Taylor’s family and supporters have been calling for all of the officers involved in her death to be held accountable, including Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove, who were also present during the raid. The officers were not charged in Taylor’s death by a grand jury in September 2020, leading to further outrage and calls for justice.

The guilty verdict for Hankison is a small victory for Taylor’s family and the movement for racial justice, but it is just the beginning of the fight for accountability and systemic change. It is crucial that we continue to push for justice for Breonna Taylor and all victims of police violence, and work towards creating a more just and equitable society for all.