One day in prison for ex-Louisville officer in Breonna Taylor case: DOJ

The U.S. Department of Justice is recommending a one-day prison sentence for a former Louisville

police officer involved in the death of Breonna Taylor five years ago, according to court documents

But if the sentencing recommendation is upheld, Brett Hankison will be credited for time already

served and will spend no more time behind bars. Hankison is a 46-year-old former detective with

the Louisville Metro Police Department. He was convicted of violating Breonna Taylor's

constitutional rights on the morning she died, March 13th, 2020, when officers conducted a no

knock search warrant on her apartment. According to court documents, Hankison fired at least 10

rounds into Taylor's apartment after her boyfriend shot an officer who he mistook for an intruder

Some of Hankison's bullets went through Taylor's apartment wall and into the apartment next door

No one was hit by Hankison's bullets. Officers recovered no drugs and found no evidence of a

crime in Taylor's apartment. In a sentencing memo filed late Wednesday, the Justice Department said

it was recommending a minimal sentence because Hankison has no prior convictions. He's maintained

stable employment during his adult life and has quote performed well on pretrial release for over four years during the pendency of his state and federal cases with no reported violations The sentencing memo says those factors quote demonstrate that there

is no need for a prison sentence to protect the public from the defendant. However, the DOJ also

recommends three years supervised release for the former officer. Taylor's family denounced the

sentencing recommendation in a statement released on behalf of Taylor's mother, Tamika Palmer

The statement says this sets a dangerous precedent. When a police officer is found guilty of violating someone's constitutional rights, there must be real accountability and justice

Recommending just one day in prison sends the unmistakable message that white officers can violate the civil rights of black Americans with near total impunity

The family asked for one thing, that Brett Hankison be sentenced in accordance with the law and federal guidelines

Instead, Tamika Palmer is left once again heartbroken and angry. Still, she is holding out hope and praying that the judge will do what the DOJ has refused to do

uphold the law, respect the jury's verdict, and deliver true justice for Breonna Taylor

Hankison is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court in Louisville on Monday

For Straight Arrow News, I'm Lauren Keenan. For more on this story, download the Straight Arrow News app or visit SAN.com