LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A judge has reduced former Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) detective Brett Hankison's bond to $7,500, previously $15,000. Hankison is the only officer involved in the raid on Breonna Taylor's apartment to face charges. They are not directly tied to her death.
What You Need To Know
- A judge has reduced the bond for Brett Hankison
- Hankison faces three counts of wanton endangerment stemming from the shots investigators said he fired blindly into a neighboring apartment during the raid on Breonna Taylor's home
- His attorney said Hankison was unable to find a job because of the charges against him
- Judge Ann Bailey Smith acknowledged during Thursday's hearing that Hankison has not missed a court appearance, however, she noted that he is facing "serious charges"
Hankison faces three counts of wanton endangerment stemming from the shots investigators said he fired blindly into a neighboring apartment during the raid on Taylor's home last year.
In August, Hankison's attorney Stewart Mathews filed a bond reduction motion, saying Hankison was unable to find a job because of the charges against him.
In the motion, Mathews wrote, "The amount of time that this litigation has been pending and will continue to pend, has caused (the) defendant to expend his reserve funds, and he is having difficulty meeting his daily/monthly living expenses."
"The return of the funds that he used to post his bail would be very helpful to him in meeting his financial obligations," he continued.
Mathews argued in the motion that Hankison isn't a flight risk and has reported to court every time he has been ordered to appear.
Judge Ann Bailey Smith acknowledged during Thursday's hearing that Hankison has not missed a court appearance, but she noted that he is facing "serious charges."
In April, Smith moved Hankison's original August trial date to Feb. 2022 because of COVID-19 concerns. A motion to have the trial moved out of Louisville was denied.
A federal investigation into Taylor's death is ongoing.