Only officer charged over Breonna Taylor’s death pleads not guilty

The only officer charged in connection to Breonna Taylor’s shooting death in the US state of Kentucky has pleaded not guilty.

Brett Hankison pleaded not guilty Monday to three counts of wanton endangerment.

A grand jury indicted Hankison, who works for the Louisville Metro Police Department, last week.

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Jefferson Circuit Judge Ann Bailey Smith also denied Hankison access to a gun.

"People that are in this court charged with offenses involving firearms — I do not allow them to possess any firearm as a condition of their bond," Smith said. "Additionally, the recording of the grand jury proceedings shall be filed in the court file by noon of Wednesday this week."

"A person is guilty of wanton endangerment in the first degree when, under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, he wantonly engages in conduct which creates a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to another person," state law says.

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A second night of anti-racism rallies got off to a peaceful but tense start in Louisville, Kentucky, on Thursday.

In March, 26-year old African American was gunned down by cops who burst into her apartment while serving what is known as a “no-knock” warrant which allows police to not identify themselves.

The case sparked international outcry and 120 days of continuous protests in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.

Hankison was indicted over shots that went into a neighboring apartment the night Taylor was killed.

If convicted, Hankison could face up to five years in prison for each count of wanton endangerment, a Class D felony in Kentucky.

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