LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jurors are deliberating in the federal trial of a former Louisville police detective who was involved in the raid in which police shot and killed Breonna Taylor.

In closing arguments on Monday, a federal prosecutor argued Brett Hankison fired blindly into Taylor’s home even though he knew it was wrong and against his training because he was angry that someone fired at police first. 

Hankison did not fire the shot that killed Taylor in the 2020 raid at her Louisville home.

According to an indictment, he is charged with civil rights violations against Taylor, her boyfriend and her neighbors for firing ten shots into Taylor’s apartment after “there was no longer a lawful objective justifying the use of deadly force.”

On the stand, Hankison admitted he could not see anyone at the moment he fired into a covered glass door and window but that he saw muzzle flashes that he now knows came from the gunfire of his fellow officers. 

In his closing arguments, a defense attorney said Hankison had previously seen someone in Taylor’s apartment holding what he thought was a rifle and he took action to try to save himself and his fellow officers. 

Hankison’s actions, the defense attorney argued, were absolutely reasonable and justified.

The trial began two weeks ago. The jury has had heard testimony from Hankison, his fellow officers, Breonna Taylor’s family and neighbors.