Breonna Taylor's aunt handcuffed outside courthouse ahead of ex-detective's sentencing
The ex-officer is set to be sentenced on July 21 after a federal jury last year found him guilty of violating Taylor's civil rights. The 26-year-old Black woman was killed during a botched raid on her home, and her death sparked nationwide demonstrations for equality in 2020.
In video captured by The Courier Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, Austin was seen standing in outside the Gene Snyder Federal Building as cars continued to try to move down the street. It was unclear if she was detained or fully arrested.
Police officials have not responded to attempts to confirm Austin's status, but she was not listed among current inmates at the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections as of 3:45 p.m. July 21.
Video captured by other news media from outside the courthouse shows another person standing in front of a Louisville Water truck and jumping on its hood. That person was later seen also being handcuffed and led to a police cruiser.
Who is Brett Hankison?
Hankison is one of the officers involved in the raid that killed Taylor in March 2020.
He fired 10 rounds into Taylor's apartment through a covered glass door and window. Three of those rounds traveled into a neighboring apartment with a man, pregnant woman and 5-year-old inside. None of the rounds fired by Hankison hit Taylor or any of the neighbors.
In a sentencing memorandum filed July 16, the U.S. Department of Justice recommended Hankison receive a one-day prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release and a $100 fine. The sentence would be considered time served since Hankison would earn credit for the day he was booked and made his initial appearance in court.
The recommendation has drawn pushback from some community members who argue the sentence would be too lenient considering the gravity of the conviction. Hankison faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Reporter N'dea Yancey-Bragg and photojournalist Jeff Faughender contributed. Contact reporter Killian Baarlaer at kbaarlaer@gannett.com or @bkillian72 on X.
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