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Jurors find Brett Hankison not guilty of violating neighbors’ civil rights
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Jurors find Brett Hankison not guilty of violating neighbors’ civil rights

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – Jurors are working overtime in the federal trial of former Louisville Metro Police Department detective Brett Hankison after he told the judge they were cornered earlier in the day .

Hankison is accused of violating the civil rights of Breonna Taylor and her neighbors when he shot through the covered windows of her apartment after his partner was shot. The jury sent a note to the judge around noon on Nov. 1, saying it did not think it could reach a unanimous decision.

Shortly after 7 p.m., the jury found Hankison not guilty of violating neighbors’ civil rights. About 40 minutes earlier, the jury had sent a note saying they were still deadlocked on one charge and the judge had told them they could return the verdict on the other if they were unanimous and continue deliberating on the charge for which they were at an impasse.

The jury has still not reached a verdict on the first count, which alleges Hankison violated Taylor’s civil rights by shooting through covered windows.

The judge read to the jury what is called an Allen charge. He asks the jurors to go back and continue deliberating. She also asked them to reread their instructions. They deliberated the rest of the afternoon.

These deliberations have been underway since Wednesday afternoon. The jury in Hankison’s 2023 federal trial also received an Allen charge, but ultimately could not reach a decision and the judge declared a mistrial.

This is the first day the jury has worked after 5 p.m. after receiving the case Wednesday afternoon. WAVE News has a team at the federal courthouse waiting to see what happens.

This story may be updated.