A federal judge is set to sentence ex-Kentucky police officer Brett Hankison on Monday afternoon, following his conviction for using excessive force during the deadly Breonna Taylor raid.

The US Justice Department has recommended no prison time for Hankison, sparking outrage among critics and leaving the potential sentence uncertain.

Hankison fired 10 shots into Taylor's apartment during the March 2020 botched drug raid, none of which hit or injured anyone.

However, his bullets flew through walls into a neighboring unit.

Taylor's death, along with the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May 2020, ignited widespread protests nationwide against systemic injustices faced by Black Americans.

The Justice Department's sudden recommendation for no prison time for Hankison has been met with criticism from those who believe law enforcement should be held accountable for their actions.

The department argued that a prison sentence was unnecessary to protect the public from Hankison, suggesting one day of already served time and three years of supervised probation as adequate punishment.

This change in stance has angered those who feel it undermines the justice system's role in holding officers accountable.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who represented Taylor's family in securing a $12 million wrongful death settlement against Louisville, condemned the recommendation as an 'insult' to Taylor and a betrayal of the jury's decision to convict Hankison.

The Louisville Metro Police Department also responded to Monday's events by arresting four individuals for creating confrontation and unsafe conditions at the courthouse.

Despite acknowledging the pain and damaged trust caused by the case, authorities emphasized their commitment to respecting freedom of speech while maintaining safety and order.