LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Former Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer released a statement Saturday morning reacting to Brett Hankison's federal retrial conviction for violating Breonna Taylor's civil rights.
After three days of deliberations, the jury reached a verdict on Friday evening.
Hankison was acquitted of violating the rights of Breonna Taylor's neighbors, however the jury found Hankinson guilty of violating Breonna Taylor's civil rights.
Fischer was mayor during the time of the 2020 incident.
"Last night’s verdict can never erase the pain of Breonna’s family and loved ones," Fischer said. "I know the time this has taken was difficult for our entire city, but it was critical for the justice system to do its work and find accountability. While there are still upcoming cases related to the search warrants, it is my hope that this step, related police reform and continued community involvement, will in some measure help restore faith in our institutions and belief in our justice system," Fischer said.
Current Mayor Craig Greenberg also provided a statement on X :
"I am hopeful this verdict brings some peace to the family of Breonna Taylor and our entire community. We still have work ahead, but progress is being made every day to improve public trust and unite our city. I am committed to that work so that we have a safer, stronger, and healthier Louisville for everyone."
Breonna Taylor, 26, was shot and killed on Friday, March 13, 2020, by LMPD officers while executing a no-knock search warrant at her apartment as a part of a drug trafficking investigation.
Hankison fired 10 shots through a window and a sliding glass door of Taylor's apartment which Hankison stated he was protecting other officers during that botched raid.
Another officer who is involved in the raid, Joshua Jaynes, stated that Jamarcus Glover and Adrian Walker had been using Taylor's address as a "trap house." Their name along with Taylor's was mentioned in the warrant.
Louisville Metro Police Department provided a statement on X :
"LMPD respects the jury’s verdict. It is not lost on us that this event forever altered the fabric of our community, and we acknowledge the pain caused by the death of Breonna Taylor. Our officers are sworn to protect and serve the community, upholding the law with integrity and fairness. We condemn any behavior that runs afoul of the mission to help and protect our citizens. The officers who serve LMPD work tirelessly and honorably to reduce crime while policing in a constitutional manner to make Louisville a safer city. We, as an agency, strive to continuously improve. Since the events of 2020, LMPD has evolved and made significant improvements to our training, practices, and policies. We have implemented mechanisms and reforms which emphasize accountability and thorough investigations. Our officers remain committed to upholding best practices in law enforcement and providing fair and constitutional policing to visitors and to all who call Louisville home."
Hankison will be sentenced on March 12, 2025. He is the first person involved in the death of Taylor to be found guilty of a crime.
