Brett Hankison, the former Louisville Metro officer convicted of crimes the night Breonna Taylor died, will be released from prison — at least for now.Hankison was convicted last year of violating Taylor’s civil rights the night she was shot and killed during a botched police raid in 2020.He was sentenced to 33 months in prison and three years of supervised release, and he started serving that Oct. 9 at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey, the same prison where Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is.On Friday, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled that Hankison can get out of jail while his appeal is pending.The judges agreed that his appeal brings up “serious legal questions” that could affect his conviction.They said they felt he could be released based on the fact that he’s already served more prison time than either side of the case had sought. And they agreed there are safety concerns at the prison with him being a former officer. The filing says he has been threatened while in custody.So, while the higher court reviews his appeal, he can get out of jail, but he will still need to follow “certain rules” set by the court.This ruling did not specify what those rules are, but at his sentencing, the judge ordered he was also not allowed to be an officer again or possess a firearm. It’s unclear when he will be released. As of 4 p.m. Friday, the jail still shows he is in custody.This story will be updated.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

Brett Hankison, the former Louisville Metro officer convicted of crimes the night Breonna Taylor died, will be released from prison — at least for now.

Hankison was convicted last year of violating Taylor’s civil rights the night she was shot and killed during a botched police raid in 2020.

He was sentenced to 33 months in prison and three years of supervised release, and he started serving that Oct. 9 at FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey, the same prison where Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is.

On Friday, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled that Hankison can get out of jail while his appeal is pending.

The judges agreed that his appeal brings up “serious legal questions” that could affect his conviction.

They said they felt he could be released based on the fact that he’s already served more prison time than either side of the case had sought.

And they agreed there are safety concerns at the prison with him being a former officer. The filing says he has been threatened while in custody.

So, while the higher court reviews his appeal, he can get out of jail, but he will still need to follow “certain rules” set by the court.

This ruling did not specify what those rules are, but at his sentencing, the judge ordered he was also not allowed to be an officer again or possess a firearm.

It’s unclear when he will be released. As of 4 p.m. Friday, the jail still shows he is in custody.

This story will be updated.