The sentencing follows a controversial request from the Trump administration, which had urged the judge to impose only a one-day prison term. This marked a stark departure from the approach taken under the previous administration, which brought the charges.
Tamika Palmer, Taylor's mother, commented after the sentencing, saying, "I think the judge did the best she could with what she had to work with," but she criticised prosecutors for seeking a lighter sentence. Taylor's boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, who was present during the raid, expressed partial relief, calling it "a small piece of justice."
Details of the Raid and Legal Aftermath
Taylor was killed in March 2020 during a "no-knock" warrant raid carried out by officers in plain clothes. The police believed Taylor's former boyfriend was using her home to hide narcotics. As the officers entered in the early hours, Walker fired one shot, hitting Sgt John Mattingly in the leg, thinking the intruders were burglars. The officers responded by firing 32 rounds into the apartment. Though Hankison's ten shots didn't strike anyone, they entered a neighbouring apartment where a pregnant woman, a five-year-old, and a man were sleeping.
Prosecutors said Hankison violated key rules on the use of deadly force. "If they cannot see the person they're shooting at, they cannot pull the trigger," they argued.
Hankison is the only officer convicted in direct connection to Taylor's death. Another former officer, Kelly Goodlett, who admitted to conspiring to falsify the search warrant and cover up the incident, is expected to be sentenced next year.
Outside the courtroom, protests erupted with chants of Taylor's name. Her aunt, Bianca Austin, was among several people detained by police during the demonstration.
Justice Department Under Scrutiny for Sentencing Recommendation
Hankison's conviction came in November 2024, shortly before Donald Trump returned to the presidency. The shift in administration meant the sentencing recommendation came from a newly directed justice department under Trump's leadership.
The Trump-era justice department shocked many, including Taylor's family, by recommending just one day in prison for Hankison. "Every American who believes in equal justice under the law should be outraged," said attorneys for the family. The department argued that Hankison didn't shoot Taylor or directly cause her death, calling further prison time "unjust."
Harmeet Dhillon, Trump's appointee to lead the Civil Rights Division, signed the sentencing request. This move raised concern among civil rights advocates, especially amid significant policy reversals under the Trump administration.
In recent months, the justice department has dropped investigations into several police departments, including those in Louisville and Minneapolis, which were opened after high-profile police brutality cases. Investigations into other departments in cities like Phoenix and Memphis were also ended.
During Biden's presidency, the department launched 12 civil investigations into law enforcement agencies, reporting systemic misconduct in four cities. Some accountability agreements were reached, but none were formally enacted before Trump's return.
The Civil Rights Division, responsible for Hankison's sentencing recommendation, has also faced heavy turnover, with reports suggesting around 70% of attorneys have departed since Trump took office in 2025.
