In 2020, a woman named Breonna Taylor was shot and killed during a botched ‘no-knock’ raid by police officers and became a pillar of the Black Lives Matter movement. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently suggested a one-day jail sentence for one of the officers involved, to the outrage of both lawmakers and activists.
The officer in question, Brett Hankison, was convicted on one count of abusing Taylor’s civil rights. During the raid, he fired several shots through Taylor’s bedroom window.
In a court filing, the DOJ argued that although Hankison was part of the team executing the warrant, he didn’t actually shoot Taylor at all. Hankison fired recklessly, but none of his shots hit anyone
This is why the DOJ has suggested that he serve only one day in jail and three years of supervised release.
In a written statement, the attorneys representing Taylor’s family called the sentencing suggestion “an insult to the life of Breonna Taylor and a blatant betrayal of the jury’s decision.”
Rep. Hank Johnson (D) reacted to this suggestion with outrage, calling it ‘cold’ and ‘racist.’ He declared that Breonna Taylor should be alive today and her name will remain forever.
Rep. Johnson also asserted that President Donald Trump is indirectly responsible for this suggestion. He stated, “Trump’s Department of Injustice has recommended a one day sentence for Breonna Taylor’s killer. This miscarriage is an ominous signal on the direction that justice is taking under Trump.”
It is important to note that Rep. Johnson is simply incorrect to say that Brett Hankison killed Breonna Taylor. There is no evidence to support such a claim.
Senator Raphael Warnock (D) reacted similarly by calling the suggestion ‘gross negligence.’ He went on to declare his commitment to remembering the life of Breonna Taylor.
“It’s shameful that this administration is attempting to subvert justice in a case where the defendant was convicted by a jury of his peers,” Sen. Warnock stated. “Breonna Taylor’s life mattered and I will continue to demand accountability for her death.”
