US judge sentences former police officer to 33 months for violating Breonna Taylor’s civil rights

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - Former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison was sentenced to 33 months in prison Monday for violating the civil rights of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman killed during a botched police raid that fueled nationwide protests against racial injustice.

Taylor, a health care worker, was killed on March 13, 2020 when she was shot to death while sleeping in her apartment in the US state of Kentucky.

During the no-knock police raid, her boyfriend, believing they were intruders, fired on the officers with a legally owned firearm, prompting them to return fire.

Hankinson was convicted last year for firing blindly into Taylor’s apartment, endangering her and others.

Although none of his bullets struck anyone, he was found guilty of using excessive force that violated Taylor’s constitutional rights.