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Louisville officer who returned fire from Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend found not guilty of wanton endangerment

Brett Hankison was acquitted by a Kentucky jury

Brett Hankison during trial. (Screenshot CBS News)

Brett Hankison during trial. (Screenshot CBS News)

March 3, 2022
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A Kentucky jury cleared former police officer Brett Hankison on Thursday of charges that he endangered neighbors when he returned fire from Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend during the 2020 narcotic raid that ended with Taylor’s death.

The panel of four women and eight men rendered their verdict after about three hours of deliberations. Hankison was shaking and visibly relieved after the verdict was read, CBS News reported.

Hankison had been charged with three counts of wanton endangerment for firing through sliding-glass side doors and a window of Taylor’s apartment during the raid after Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly was struck by gunfire from Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker.

Mattingly suffered a serious gunshot wound, which severed his femoral artery and had to undergo surgery.

indicted Louisville officer
Brett Hankison (LMPD)

Mattingly, Hankison, and Det. Myles Cosgrove returned fire. Taylor was tragically killed during the gun battle. Walker was uninjured.

The FBI later determined that Cosgrove fired the fatal shot that killed Taylor, Law Officer reported.

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron determined the officers were justified when returning fire. Therefore, they were not charged with a crime related to Taylor’s death.

Although attempted murder charges were initially filed against Walker for shooting Mattingly, they were eventually dismissed.

Brett Hankison
Former Louisville officer Brett Hankison was found not guilty of wanton endangerment. (LMPD)

Hankison’s attorneys never contested the ballistics evidence, but said he fired 10 rounds since he firmly believed his fellow officers were “being executed.”


RELATED

  • The Breonna Taylor Story: How American jurisprudence is bending the rule of law
  • Daniel Cameron explains why he did not recommend murder charges to grand jury
  • Louisville police documents shed light on Breonna Taylor’s connection to suspected drug dealer

Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: Breonna TaylorBrett HankisonLMPD
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