Officer convicted in Breonna Taylor raid gets 33-month sentence

July 21, 2025

Former Kentucky police officer Brett Hankison has been sentenced to 33 months in prison after being convicted of violating Breonna Taylor's civil rights during a fatal raid on her home. Hankison, the only officer charged and convicted in connection with the botched raid, fired 10 shots into Taylor's apartment that entered a neighboring property. The Trump administration had requested a one-day sentence for Hankison, contrasting sharply with the Biden administration's approach that initially brought the charges.

Who is affected

Breonna Taylor's family, including her mother Tamika Palmer
Brett Hankison, the former Kentucky police officer now sentenced
Kenneth Walker, Taylor's boyfriend who was present during the raid
Neighboring apartment residents (a pregnant woman, a five-year-old, and a man)
Kelly Goodlett, another former officer awaiting sentencing
The Black Lives Matter movement, for whom Taylor became a symbolic figure

What action is being taken

Brett Hankison is being sentenced to 33 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release
The Trump administration's Justice Department is rolling back Biden-era policies related to police oversight
The Justice Department is dismissing lawsuits against police departments in Louisville and Minneapolis
Investigations into police constitutional violations in cities like Memphis and Phoenix are being ended
Approximately 70% of attorneys in the Civil Rights Division have left the Justice Department since Trump's inauguration

Why it matters

This represents the only conviction directly related to Breonna Taylor's death, which became a focal point for the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020
The stark contrast between the Biden administration's approach (bringing charges) and the Trump administration's recommendation (one-day sentence) highlights significant policy shifts in handling police misconduct cases
The case demonstrates ongoing tensions regarding police accountability, particularly in cases involving Black Americans
The justice system's handling of the case has significant implications for civil rights enforcement and police oversight
The sentencing occurs amid broader policy changes that affect federal oversight of local police departments

What's next

Kelly Goodlett, who pleaded guilty to falsifying the search warrant affidavit and covering up actions after Taylor's death, will be sentenced next year
Hankison will begin serving his 33-month prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release

Read full article from source: BBC