Attorneys for Former Detective Brett Hankison Seek Access to Breonna Taylor’s Cellphone

Former Louisville police Detective Brett Hankison’s attorneys are seeking to obtain Breonna Taylor’s cellphone, believing it may contain crucial evidence in their client’s upcoming trial. The phone, found next to Taylor after she was shot and killed during a police raid in 2020, has been a point of contention between the defense and prosecution.

Despite repeated requests, the government has not turned over the phone to the defense. Prosecutors claim that state forensic examiners were unable to extract data from the phone, but Hankison’s attorneys argue that new software updates could potentially retrieve information from the device.

The defense believes that information on the phone could shed light on whether Taylor was aware of the police raid that led to her death. They argue that there was enough time for others, including the main target of the investigation and Taylor’s former boyfriend, to notify her before the raid took place.

One of the key disputes in the case is whether police announced their presence before entering Taylor’s apartment. While they had a “no-knock” warrant, officers claim they did knock and announce themselves, but witnesses say they never heard any warning before the shooting.

Hankison is facing trial for civil rights violations and using excessive force in connection to the Taylor raid. This will be his third trial related to the incident, with previous trials resulting in a deadlock and a not guilty verdict on other charges.

The defense is asking the judge to allow their expert to examine the phone to determine if it has been compromised and to potentially retrieve any relevant information. The outcome of this request could have a significant impact on the upcoming trial and the ongoing investigation into the events surrounding Breonna Taylor’s death.