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Former Louisville Police Officer Convicted in Breonna Taylor Case
A jury has found ex-Louisville police officer Brett Hankison guilty of violating Breonna Taylor’s civil rights. The conviction stems from a botched police raid in which Taylor was fatally shot.
In a retrial, the jury acquitted Hankison of violating the rights of Taylor’s neighbors but found him guilty of violating Taylor’s rights. Family and friends of Taylor celebrated the verdict.
Hankison fired 10 rounds into Taylor’s apartment, which had blinds and curtains, and some of the bullets entered a neighbor’s apartment. Prosecutors argued that his actions were unjustified and violated Taylor’s and her neighbors’ rights.
Hankison claimed he fired after believing someone was advancing towards other officers. However, witnesses testified that he violated police policy requiring officers to identify targets before firing.
The conviction carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. Hankison had previously been acquitted of state charges related to the raid.