Former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison, convicted for using excessive force during the 2020 raid that killed Breonna Taylor, has been ordered to begin his prison sentence this week after a federal judge rejected his request to remain free while appealing the case.
Hankison, who fired multiple shots into Taylor’s apartment during the botched raid, became the first officer involved to be criminally convicted. A jury found him guilty of using excessive force in November, leading to a 33-month prison sentence handed down in July. Soon after, he filed an appeal seeking release on bond until the process concluded.
On Monday, U.S. District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings denied that request, ruling that Hankison “failed to demonstrate a substantial question of law or fact material to his appeal justifying bond.” He is required to report to prison on Thursday…