Civil rights advocates condemn DOJ’s one-day sentence recommendation in Breonna Taylor case

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Civil rights attorneys and activists have condemned the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) sentencing recommendation of just one day in prison for former Louisville Metro Police Detective Brett Hankison. Hankison was convicted of violating Breonna Taylor’s civil rights during the 2020 raid that led to her death.

DOJ’S sentencing recommendation in Breonna Taylor case

The proposal, filed ahead of Hankison’s July 21, 2025 sentencing, has reignited calls for stronger police accountability and justice for Black Americans.

Taylor, a 26-year-old EMT, was fatally shot in her apartment during a late-night operation on March 13, 2020. While Hankison’s bullets did not hit Taylor, prosecutors argued his blind firing of 10 rounds through covered doors and windows posed a life-threatening danger and violated constitutional rights. He was found guilty of depriving Taylor of her civil rights under color of law.

Reasonings

In its memo, the DOJ asserted that Hankison’s time served — one day in custody — should be considered sufficient. It cited legal ambiguity around Fourth Amendment violations, and a lengthy trial history. Prosecutors also recommended three years of supervised release, noting Hankison is no longer likely to serve as a police officer.

Advocates condemn DOJ’S sentencing recommendation in Breonna Taylor case

But legal advocates quickly rejected the government’s rationale. Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, joined by Lonita Baker and Sam Aguiar, condemned the DOJ’s stance as “an insult to the life of Breonna Taylor and a blatant betrayal of the jury’s decision.”

They urged the court to reject the lenient recommendation and warned the sentence “sets a dangerous precedent,” one that signals to white officers that they can violate Black Americans’ civil rights with minimal consequences.

Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, continues to fight for a meaningful resolution, sharing that she remains devastated but hopeful that the court will deliver justice.

As the country watches, Hankison’s sentencing could become a pivotal moment in the broader struggle over civil rights, police reform, and how the justice system responds to deadly misconduct.

Advocates statement

Read in the statement in its entirety:

“This recommendation is an insult to the life of Breonna Taylor and a blatant betrayal of the jury’s decision. Every American who believes in equal justice under the law should be outraged. It is unfathomable that, after finally securing a conviction, the Department of Justice would seek a sentence so drastically below the federal guidelines.

“This sets a dangerous precedent. When a police officer is found guilty of violating someone’s constitutional rights, there must be real accountability and justice. Recommending just one day in prison sends the unmistakable message that white officers can violate the civil rights of Black Americans with near-total impunity.

“The family asked for one thing: that Brett Hankison be sentenced in accordance with the law and federal guidelines. Instead, Tamika Palmer is left, once again, heartbroken and angry. Still, she is holding out hope and praying that the judge will do what the DOJ has refused to do –– uphold the law, respect the jury’s verdict, and deliver true justice for Breonna Taylor.”