Former Louisville police officer charged in Breonna Taylor raid released from prison pending appeal

A federal judge has granted a motion for release pending appeal to former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison, who was sentenced to prison for his involvement in the 2020 raid that resulted in the death of Breonna Taylor.

Hankinson was sentenced this year to 33 months in federal prison after a jury found him guilty of violating Taylor’s civil rights. He was the first officer involved in the raid to be convicted, despite not firing the shots that killed Taylor.

Last month, the Department of Justice asked that Hankison be released while his appeal is pending. Federal prosecutors argued that imprisonment “would not be appropriate” given his lack of criminal history and that he does not pose a danger to the public. Attorneys also cited the Bail Reform Act, arguing Hankison was entitled to release because “his appeal is not for the purpose of delay” and instead raises a “substantial question of law or fact” that could result in a reversal of his conviction.

On Friday, a judge with the US Court of Appeals granted the motion. The judge cited “substantial questions” in the case, Hankison’s lack of danger to the community, and the absence of flight risk as reasons for the decision. The judge also noted that Hankison had received threats while incarcerated and had been moved to special housing, which further supported his release.

The conviction marked the third attempt to prosecute Hankison. In November 2023, a federal judge declared a mistrial after a jury deliberated for several days without reaching a verdict. In 2022, Hankison was acquitted of state charges related to the raid.

Taylor was killed during a police raid at her Louisville apartment in March 2020, an incident that sparked nationwide unrest amid the height of the Black Lives Matter movement. During the raid, Hankison fired 10 shots, and while none hit anybody, several went through the back wall into an adjacent apartment where neighbors were inside.