What that means and what comes next after the Brett Hankison trial ends in a hung jury

 The judge declared a mistrial because the jury tasked with deciding whether former Louisville Metro Police Detective Brett Hankison violated the civil rights of Breonna Taylor, her boyfriend, and three neighbors during the police raid that killed her was unable to come to a verdict. 

The verdict is rendered at the conclusion of the third full day of jury deliberations by Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings. Approximately twenty-one witnesses testified during the three-week trial.

Whether they intend to retry Hankison is still a matter unknown to the federal prosecution. A status conference has been scheduled for December 13 by Jennings. 

The third day of the Hankison trial jury deliberations is delayed.

In stark contrast to the state trial, where jurors found Hankison not guilty of wanton endangerment in connection with the shooting after just three hours of deliberation, the federal jury's deliberations took place.

The jury asked a few questions during this week's deliberations, one of which was a request for the court transcript. The jury was told to rely on their memory by the judge, who rejected the request.

After nearly three full days, the jury sent a note on Thursday afternoon stating that they were deadlocked and inquiring as to what would happen if they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict. In response, Jennings presented an Allen charge that asked the jury to find in favor of a verdict. 

A few hours later, the jury—which seemed to consist of six white women, five white men, and one Black man—reiterated their divided opinion.

Families and neighbors of Breonna Taylor respond

Shortly after the mistrial was declared, Taylor's family lawyer, Lonita Baker, gave a statement outside the courthouse thanking the federal prosecutors and expressing hope for the future.

"A mistrial does not imply an acquittal," stated Baker. "And so we live another day to fight for justice for Breonna."

Baker was also dissatisfied with the jury's composition, saying there seemed to be just one person of color on it.

"The Western District is made up of more than just Louisville, and we recognize that, but hopefully on the next trial, the jury does reflect the diversity of this city and the Western District of Kentucky," Baker stated.

In their federal civil lawsuit, Taylor's former neighbors Chelsey Napper and Cody Etherton are represented by attorney Jeffrey Sexton.