U.S. Department of Justice asks judge to release Brett Hankison from prison during appeal

WASHINGTON, D.C. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The U.S. Department of Justice is asking a federal judge to release former Louisville Metro Police Detective Brett Hankison from prison while his appeal moves forward.

According to court documents — and reporting from our news affiliate WHAS 11 — Hankison is appealing his 33-month federal sentence. He began serving time on October 9th at a federal prison in New Jersey.

In the new filing, the DOJ argues Hankison is not a flight risk, does not pose a danger to the community, and that his appeal raises “substantial legal questions” that could potentially lead to a reversal, a new trial, or a reduced sentence.

Prosecutors wrote that Hankison has “clearly shown” there are exceptional reasons why keeping him detained during the appeal process “would not be appropriate.”

The federal court has not yet ruled on the bail request.