A federal jury has convicted former Kentucky police detective Brett Hankison for excessive force used during a botched drug raid that led to Breonna Taylor's death.
This verdict marks the first conviction of a Louisville police officer involved in the 2020 raid that tragically killed 26-year-old Taylor.
The jury returned their late-night verdict after deliberating for over 20 hours across three days.
Hankison had previously been cleared of using excessive force against Taylor's neighbors earlier that evening.
Taylor's death sparked nationwide protests, highlighting issues of racial injustice and police brutality alongside cases like George Floyd's.
During the raid, police believed Taylor’s apartment was linked to drug activity due to her past relationship with convicted dealer Jamarcus Glover.
Taylor's boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, stated they were asleep when police broke in, contradicting claims that officers announced themselves.
Hankison fired 10 shots into Taylor's apartment, with some bullets striking neighboring units, yet he did not hit anyone directly.
The jury was deeply affected by the case, with some members visibly emotional as the verdict was read.
Prosecutors argued Hankison acted recklessly, violating rules of deadly force by firing blindly into an apartment.
The conviction carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, pending further legal proceedings.
Hankison's defense claimed he was acting to protect his fellow officers during a chaotic and dangerous situation.
Two other officers involved in the shooting of Taylor, Mattingly and Cosgrove, were not charged, as their actions were deemed justified.
The case remains a critical moment in the ongoing conversation about police accountability and systemic racism.
As the investigation continues, the case of Breonna Taylor remains a rallying point for those advocating for justice and reform.