Brett Hankison, a former police officer in Kentucky, is set to face trial for a third time in connection with the death of Breonna Taylor, a Black woman fatally shot during a flawed police raid in 2020. Taylor’s death sparked widespread protests across the U.S., becoming a significant event in the fight against racial injustice and police brutality.

On March 13, 2020, Louisville police officers, including Hankison, conducted a raid on Taylor’s apartment. The officers, dressed in plain clothes, were executing a “no-knock” warrant as part of a narcotics investigation. Authorities suspected Taylor’s ex-boyfriend of using her apartment to hide drugs. During the raid, Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, fired a shot at the officers, believing they were intruders as they hadn’t announced themselves as police. In response, the officers fired 32 rounds, with one of the shots killing Taylor. Hankison fired 10 shots through a window and a sliding glass door, though none of his bullets struck anyone. His shots, however, entered a neighboring apartment, endangering the people inside.

In the aftermath of the raid, the official police report contained inaccuracies, including falsely stating that no force had been used to enter the apartment, even though the officers had broken down the door using a battering ram. The report also failed to acknowledge Taylor’s injuries. This incident, combined with similar cases across the U.S., led to widespread protests, with Taylor’s name becoming a rallying cry in the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement.

Hankison has faced two previous trials over his involvement in the raid. The first trial, held in Kentucky state court in March 2022, resulted in his acquittal on three counts of felony wanton endangerment, related to the shots he fired that entered the neighboring apartment. The second trial, a federal case last year, ended in a mistrial when the jury couldn’t reach a unanimous decision on whether Hankison’s actions had violated the civil rights of Taylor, Walker, and Taylor’s neighbors. Hankison claimed during the trial that he couldn’t see his target but believed he was defending himself and other officers in the midst of what he thought was a shootout.

The upcoming trial will again focus on whether Hankison’s use of force was lawful and if it violated the rights of those involved. Jury selection for this trial is set to begin on Tuesday.

Other officers involved in the botched raid have also faced charges, and the incident led to reforms in Louisville’s police practices. Both Taylor’s family and Kenneth Walker received settlements from the city. Taylor’s death remains a powerful symbol in the ongoing conversation about racial injustice and police reform in the United States.Breonna Taylor’s death not only led to legal battles for the officers involved but also triggered significant societal and political consequences. Following her death and the protests that ensued, the city of Louisville introduced a series of police reforms aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future. One of the most notable changes was the banning of “no-knock” warrants in Louisville, a key element in the circumstances surrounding Taylor’s death. This type of warrant allows police officers to enter a home without announcing themselves, a tactic that has been heavily criticized, particularly in cases involving people of color.

The public outrage following the incident also led to nationwide calls for broader police reforms, including the demilitarization of police forces, increased accountability for officers, and a greater focus on community-based approaches to policing. The Black Lives Matter movement, which was already prominent, gained further momentum after Breonna Taylor’s name became a central part of their advocacy, alongside other high-profile cases like George Floyd’s death.

Breonna Taylor

The legal ramifications for the officers involved in the raid on Taylor’s apartment have been mixed. While Hankison has faced multiple trials, other officers involved have also encountered legal challenges. The officer who fired the fatal shot that killed Taylor was not charged because the prosecutors ruled that he acted in self-defense, as Kenneth Walker had fired first. However, the legal system’s handling of the case, including the decision not to prosecute certain officers for Taylor’s death, has been a source of frustration and anger for many, particularly within the Black community.

Taylor’s family reached a settlement with the city of Louisville in September 2020, amounting to $12 million, one of the largest payouts for a police misconduct case in U.S. history. This settlement included promises from the city to implement reforms, such as mandatory body cameras for officers executing search warrants and better oversight in the execution of warrants. Kenneth Walker, Taylor’s boyfriend, also received a settlement following a lawsuit in which he accused the police of misconduct and wrongful injury.

Despite these settlements and reforms, many activists and advocates for police accountability argue that justice for Breonna Taylor has not been fully served. They point to the fact that no officer has been convicted for Taylor’s death itself, and the legal focus has primarily been on wanton endangerment charges related to the shots fired into neighboring apartments, rather than the loss of Taylor’s life.

Brett Hankison

As Brett Hankison’s third trial approaches, it remains to be seen whether the legal system will hold him accountable for his actions during the raid. His previous acquittals and the mistrial have left many questioning whether justice will ultimately be served. The outcome of this trial could also influence ongoing discussions about police reform, accountability, and how the legal system handles cases involving law enforcement officers who use deadly force.

Breonna Taylor’s death continues to resonate as a symbol of the urgent need for reform in policing and the justice system. Her case has highlighted the racial disparities in how law enforcement interacts with communities of color and has galvanized a movement demanding systemic change. While legal proceedings continue, her legacy endures through the ongoing fight for racial justice and police accountability across the United States.