Judge declares mistrial in Brett Hankison federal trial after jury deadlocks
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WTVQ) — After weeks of witness testimony and evidence, a jury could not come to a decision in the federal trial of former Louisville Metro Police officer Brett Hankison.
Hankison was accused of using excessive force when he blindly fired 10 shots into Breonna Taylor’s apartment during a botched raid in 2020. Federal prosecutors said Hankison’s actions violated the civil rights of Breonna Taylor, her boyfriend, and their neighbors.
On Thursday, the 12-person jury felt they could not honestly and reasonably reach a verdict, and they became deadlocked on both counts. Therefore the judge called a mistrial.
When asked if federal prosecutors will retry the case, a Department of Justice spokesperson told ABC News they are “actively considering all of our available options.”
However, Taylor’s family’s attorney, Lonita Baker, is confident this won’t be the last time Hankison is in the courtroom.
“The attorneys from the Department of Justice did indicate that it is their intention to retry Brett Hankison in this case again,” Baker said.
A hearing is set for Dec. 13 to determine if the federal government will bring Hankison to trial again.
The trial marked the second attempt by prosecutors to convict Hankison for his actions on the night Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman, was shot to death by police after they knocked down the door of her apartment.
Last year, Hankison was acquitted on multiple wanton endangerment charges in a state trial.
