Jurors return split verdict in Brett Hankison case

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – Jurors are working overtime in the federal trial of former Louisville Metro Police Department Detective Brett Hankison after telling the judge earlier in the day that they are deadlocked.

Hankison is accused of violating the civil rights of Breonna Taylor and her neighbors when he shot through covered windows in their apartment after his partner was shot. The jury sent a message to the judge around noon on Nov. 1 saying they did not believe they could reach a unanimous decision.

After hours of deliberations, the jury in the trial reached a split verdict.

Shortly after 7 p.m., the jury found Hankison not guilty of violating neighbors' civil rights before returning to deliberate on allegations of violating Taylor's civil rights.

After deliberating for two and a half hours, the jury returned a guilty verdict on this count.

Tamika Palmer, Taylor's mother, was emotional after the verdict.

“Grateful they decided to stay the course,” she said. “You know, I think after the first time we were all so down that no one knew where to turn or what to think, but they assured me that they wouldn't give up and that they would stay here for however long how I was ready to be here. And that's exactly what they did.

“Unless you know what it's like to have your child killed for 1,694 days and no one holds anyone accountable, I don't think anyone can understand what that feels like unless you're knee-deep in it,” she added .

Mayor Craig Greenberg continued Xformerly of Twitter, he hopes the verdict will bring some peace to Taylor's family and the entire community.

“We still have much work to do, but progress is being made every day to increase public trust and unite our city,” Greenberg wrote.

Former Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, who was in office at the time of the raid, released a statement Saturday morning saying, “Last night's verdict can never ease the pain of Breonna's family and loved ones.” I know that the time this has taken has been difficult for our entire city, but it has been vital for the justice system to do its job and take responsibility. While cases related to the search warrants remain pending, I hope that this move, the associated police reform and continued community engagement will go some way toward restoring trust in our institutions and our justice system.”

Also the LMPD released a statement Saturday to reflect on the last four years in Louisville and at the department and to condemn any behavior that runs counter to the mission of helping and protecting citizens.

“LMPD respects the jury’s verdict. “It is not lost on us that this event has forever changed the fabric of our community, and we recognize the pain caused by the death of Breonna Taylor,” the department wrote. “Our officers are sworn to protect and serve the community and uphold the law with integrity and fairness. We condemn any behavior that contradicts our mission to help and protect our citizens. LMPD officers work tirelessly and honorably to reduce crime while policing in a constitutional manner to make Louisville a safer city. As an agency, we strive to continually improve. Since the events of 2020, LMPD has evolved and significantly improved our training, practices and policies. We have introduced mechanisms and reforms that emphasize accountability and thorough investigations. Our officers remain committed to upholding best law enforcement practices and providing fair and constitutional policing to visitors and all who call Louisville home.”

United States Attorney General Merrick Garland and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division also made statements as part of a U.S. Department of Justice press release.

“Today, Brett Hankison was found guilty by a jury of his peers of willfully depriving Breonna Taylor of her constitutional rights,” Garland said. “His use of deadly force was unlawful and placed Ms. Taylor in danger. This verdict is an important step toward accountability for the violation of Breonna Taylor’s civil rights, but justice for Ms. Taylor’s loss is a task beyond human capacity.”

“This defendant will be held accountable for his intentional and heinous use of deadly force that endangered the life of Breonna Taylor,” Clarke added. “Breonna Taylor’s life mattered. We hope that the jury's verdict recognizing this violation of Ms. Taylor's civil and constitutional rights will provide some comfort to her family and loved ones who have suffered so greatly from the tragic events of March 2020. We hope communities use this moment to speak out, bear her name, and imprint Breonna Taylor's life and lasting legacy on their hearts and minds. The Department of Justice will continue to vigorously defend the civil right of every person in this country to be free from unlawful police violence.”

Hankison is on bail pending his sentencing.

Before the judge read the so-called Allen Charge to the jury. It asks the jury to go back and deliberate further. She also asked them to read her instructions again.

The deliberations began on Wednesday afternoon. The jury in Hankison's federal trial in 2023 also received an Allen indictment, but ultimately could not reach a decision and the judge declared the trial invalid.

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