Louisiana prosecutors have dropped the most serious charge in the 2019 death of Ronald Greene, dismissing a negligent homicide count against trooper Kory York, who was seen on video dragging Greene by his ankle shackles and forcing him to lie face down before he stopped breathing. This marks a significant reduction in the case, which originally charged five officers for their roles in Greene's arrest. Now, only two officers face charges, reducing the likelihood of anyone receiving significant prison time. Greene's mother, Mona Hardin, expressed outrage: "This whole thing started with a lie and a coverup, and it's going to end the same way," she told The Associated Press. "They killed my son and no one gives a rat's ass."
Union Parish District Attorney John Belton explained that despite York's indictment, the evidence did not meet the "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard required for conviction. York's attorney, Mike Small, is confident that the trial will exonerate York, stating, "I am confident that once the jury looks at those videos, they're not going to see any illegal touching of Ronald Greene by Kory York."
Greene's death, initially blamed on a car crash, sparked national outrage when body-camera footage was released, showing troopers using excessive force, including repeated use of a stun gun and physical restraint. Greene's family shared images of his severely bruised body, fueling further demands for accountability. Trooper Chris Hollingsworth, who bragged about beating Greene, was considered the most culpable but died in a car accident before facing consequences.
Governor John Bel Edwards denounced the officers' actions, acknowledging that Greene's treatment reflected racism. Greene's mother, Hardin, continues to seek justice, stating, "No one has been held accountable for my child's death." She vowed not to rest until justice is served.
Link: CBSNews
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