A former Louisville Metro Police officer convicted in connection with the 2020 shooting death of Breonna Taylor is asking a federal appeals court to release him from prison while his case is under review.
Brett Hankison was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison after being found guilty of violating Taylor’s civil rights during a police raid that killed the 26-year-old emergency medical technician. He began serving his sentence in October after a district court denied his request for bail pending appeal.
Now, federal prosecutors are supporting Hankison’s bid for release, arguing in court documents filed November 13 that his case presents “exceptional reasons” warranting bail during the appeals process.
The March 2020 incident
On March 13, 2020, seven Louisville Metro Police officers executed a search warrant at Taylor’s apartment shortly after midnight. Taylor and her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, were inside when officers forced open the door with a battering ram…