Ex-Louisville cop Brett Hankison’s federal trial ends in mistrial

The jury charged with figuring out if former Louisville Metro Police Detective Brett Hankison violated the civil rights of Breonna Taylor, her boyfriend and three neighbors through the police raid that killed her couldn’t attain a call, main the choose to declare a mistrial. 

Decide Rebecca Grady Jennings’ announcement comes on the finish of the third full day of jury deliberations. The trial lasted about three weeks, with testimony from round two dozen witnesses.

Jury deliberations on Hankison trial stall on third day

Throughout deliberations this week, the jury requested just a few questions, together with a request for the courtroom transcript. That request was denied, with the choose instructing the jury to as a substitute depend on their reminiscence.

A couple of hours later, the jury, which gave the impression to be made of 1 Black man, 5 white males and 6 white ladies, reaffirmed their cut up stance.

Breonna Taylor’s household, neighbors react

Baker additionally expressed disappointment on the jury’s make-up, which appeared to have just one particular person of coloration.

Jeffery Sexton, an legal professional representing Taylor’s former neighbors Chelsey Napper and Cody Etherton of their federal civil swimsuit, mentioned “there aren’t any winners in a tie” in relation to a mistrial.

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How we obtained right here

Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency room technician, was inside her South Finish condominium when she was fatally shot by plainclothes officers trying to serve a search warrant at 12:40 a.m. March 13, 2020, as part of a botched narcotics investigation.

Although seven officers had been on scene to serve the warrant, solely three fired their weapons: Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly, Detective Myles Cosgrove and Hankison. They fired a mixed 32 rounds all through the condominium, with Hankison firing 10 bullets by way of a lined sliding-glass door and window.

In March 2022, Hankison was discovered not responsible on state prices of wanton endangerment associated to the capturing and has since had these felony prices expunged.

Extra: ‘So that you guessed.’ Jury will get case in Brett Hankison’s federal trial over Breonna Taylor raid

Hankison is one in every of 4 folks federally charged in connection to the raid on Taylor’s condominium. The others are former LMPD Officers Joshua Jaynes, Kelly Goodlett and Kyle Meany.

Meany and Jaynes have been charged with federal civil rights and obstruction offenses associated to getting ready and approving a false search warrant.

What’s subsequent?

In a mistrial, the defendant is neither convicted or acquitted. The prosecution can resolve to retry the case, with the identical prices and a distinct jury, however it’s as much as the prosecutor’s discretion.