DOJ Recommends No Prison Time for Officer Convicted in Breonna Taylor Civil Rights Case
LOUISVILLE, KY — The U.S. Department of Justice has recommended that former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison receive no prison time after being found guilty of violating the civil rights of Breonna Taylor during a 2020 botched police raid that led to her death.
Instead, the DOJ is urging that Hankison be sentenced to one day in jail, which he has already served, followed by three years of supervised release and a $100 fine.
DOJ Suggests Leniency Despite Serious Charges
In a sentencing memo filed Wednesday, federal prosecutors argued that Hankison’s actions do not require imprisonment to protect the public, citing factors such as:
- Emotional and mental health issues (PTSD, anxiety)
- No prior criminal record
- Likely permanent removal from law enforcement
- Risk of harm if incarcerated due to the high-profile nature of the case
They noted that although Hankison was convicted of firing shots that violated Taylor’s civil rights, he did not injure anyone during the incident, and his actions stemmed from what they described as “sudden and extreme provocation.”
The full memo is available from WDRB News.
Incident Details and Legal Background
The March 13, 2020 raid, part of a broader narcotics investigation, resulted in police forcibly entering Taylor’s apartment. When Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, fired one shot—believing intruders had broken in—police returned fire. Hankison fired 10 bullets from outside the apartment through a window and a sliding door. Some bullets entered a neighboring apartment.
Taylor, 26, was fatally shot during the return fire, though Hankison’s bullets did not strike her directly.
In state court, Hankison was previously acquitted. A third federal trial finally led to his conviction last year.
Public Reactions and Sentencing Outlook
The DOJ’s stance has drawn strong reactions:
- Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg stated that Hankison’s actions “warrant a serious prison sentence.”
- Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-Louisville) called the DOJ’s recommendation “morally reprehensible,” stating, “Breonna Taylor’s life is worth more than a one-day jail sentence.”
- The Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression responded with “deep sorrow,” demanding accountability.
Sentencing guidelines suggest 11 to 14 years in prison, but U.S. District Court Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings will make the final ruling next week.
Broader Impact and Community Healing
Since Taylor’s death, Louisville has implemented numerous reforms and reached a $12 million settlement with her family. However, the DOJ’s memo itself questions whether Hankison should have been charged to begin with and highlights inconsistencies in how similar cases have been handled.
The agency acknowledged the public’s pain and affirmed that while the outcome cannot bring Taylor back, it aims to balance justice with fairness under the law.
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