Judge issues Allen charge on day 4 of jury deliberations in Brett Hankison case

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WTVQ) — A judge on Thursday issued an Allen charge to a jury during deliberations of a federal civil rights trial for former Louisville Metro police officer Brett Hankison.

Judge Rebecca Grady-Jennings issued the charge to the 12-person jury on day four of deliberations after reading a note from the jury that said: “We are at an impasse in deciding this case, what is the process if we cannot come to a decision?” according to ABC affiliate WHAS.

An Allen charge refers to instructions given to a hung jury urging them to agree on a verdict.

The jury is deliberating whether Hankison used excessive force and violated the civil rights of Breonna Taylor, her boyfriend and their neighbors on the night of a botched raid at Taylor’s apartment in 2020.

The trial marks the second attempt by prosecutors to convict Hankison for his actions on the night Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman, was shot to death by police after they knocked down the door of her apartment.

Last year, Hankison was acquitted on multiple wanton endangerment charges in a state trial.

This is a developing story. Stick with ABC 36 for updates