A Blow to Impunity—Judge Rejects Trump DOJ’s One-Day Sentencing Request.

A Blow to Impunity—Judge Rejects Trump DOJ’s One-Day Sentencing Request.

Crime & Punishment

The news as it trends.

In a moment that stunned observers worldwide, a federal judge sentenced former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison to 33 months in prison for his role in the tragic 2020 raid that led to the death of Breonna Taylor.

The ruling starkly contradicted the Trump administration’s Department of Justice, which controversially recommended just one day behind bars, claiming Hankison had “already paid” for his actions—a claim that remains vague and unexplained.

Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old African American woman and emergency medical technician, was killed during a no-knock raid at her home while she slept beside her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker.

Officers entered unannounced, prompting Walker—who believed they were intruders—to fire a single shot.

In response, police discharged 32 rounds.

Six bullets struck Breonna, fatally ending her life.

Crucially, the officer indicted—Brett Hankison—did not fire the shots that killed her.

Those were fired by Myles Cosgrove, another Louisville detective, who has never faced criminal charges.

Ballistics confirmed Cosgrove fired the fatal shot.

He was dismissed from the force in 2021 for violating department policy, a decision upheld in court.

However, he now serves as a sheriff’s deputy in Carroll County, Kentucky—sparking renewed outrage.

While Hankison’s bullets did not hit Breonna, he recklessly fired 10 rounds through a covered window and door, endangering her neighbors.

In rejecting the DOJ’s proposal for one day of incarceration, Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings called the recommendation “inappropriate” and “startling,” emphasizing that justice cannot be reduced to a symbolic gesture when lives have been lost.

Yetunde B reports for Yeyetunde’s Blog.