A Kentucky officer who was fired Tuesday over his involvement in the death of Breonna Taylor — an EMT who police allegedly shot eight times while executing a no-knock warrant — has appealed his termination.
Attorney David Leightty filed an appeal on ex-Louisville Metro police officer Brett Hankison’s behalf. In the appeal, Leightty claimed that Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer ordered interim Chief Robert Schroeder to fire Hankison before all the facts in the case were established, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal.
Hankison, 44, had 10 days to appeal his termination — which Leightty called a “cowardly political act.” The lawyer asserted that the FBI, Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, and the Kentucky State Police hadn’t completed their investigations before Hankison was fired.
Announcing his termination, Schroeder accused Hankison of “blindly” firing 10 rounds into Taylor’s apartment and the unit next door.
“I find your conduct a shock to the conscience,” Schroeder said to Hankison last week.
“I am alarmed and stunned you used deadly force in this fashion.”
Louisville Metro police claimed they announced themselves and returned gunfire to Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, 27. Walker was initially charged with the attempted murder of a police officer and first-degree assault, but prosecutors dropped the charges due to a lack of evidence.
The Courier-Journal reports that the Police Merit Board will review Hankison’s appeal and determine whether his firing was justified. The board can opt to uphold Hankison’s termination or reverse it.
The two other Louisville Metro police officers involved in the fatal raid, Seargent Jonathan Mattingly and officer Myles Cosgrove, remain on the force.
No member of law enforcement has faced criminal charges in connection with Taylor’s death.
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[Featured image: Breonna Taylor/Instagram; Brett Hankison/Louisville Metro Police Department]
