Following a controversial decision, the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC, has reinstated two officers who were previously suspended. This move comes weeks after President Donald Trump issued a pardon for their involvement in the tragic death of 20-year-old Karon Hylton-Brown in 2020. The case had sparked protests, coming in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.
The officers, Officer Terence Sutton and Lt. Andrew Zabavsky, were reinstated on Monday and are now back on the payroll, as confirmed by a source within the MPD who spoke to CNN. Both officers had been suspended without pay while the legal proceedings unfolded. A spokesperson for the MPD acknowledged the reinstatements but declined to provide further details on personnel matters.
Before resuming their duties, Sutton and Zabavsky will undergo extensive retraining. It remains unclear whether they will be assigned to public-facing roles upon their return to active duty. Sutton was previously convicted of second-degree murder, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and obstruction of justice, resulting in a 66-month prison sentence. Zabavsky, on the other hand, was found guilty of conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice, leading to a 48-month prison term.
Both officers were granted a “full and unconditional pardon” shortly after President Trump pardoned them. When contacted by CNN, Sutton and his attorney declined to provide comments. Efforts to reach Zabavsky and his legal representative for statements have been made.
The prosecution argued that in October 2020, Sutton and Zabavsky had engaged in a high-speed pursuit of Hylton-Brown, who was riding a moped without a helmet. Tragically, Hylton-Brown was struck and killed by another motorist during the pursuit. Following the incident, the officers allegedly engaged in a cover-up, including turning off their body cameras, tampering with the scene, and misleading their superiors about what had occurred.
While defense attorneys contested the prosecution’s version of events, claiming that key evidence had been improperly excluded, they expressed confidence in their ability to overturn the convictions on appeal. The DC police department expressed gratitude to President Trump for pardoning the officers, stating that the actions in question should have been addressed through training and disciplinary measures rather than criminal prosecution.
In a statement following the pardon, the MPD acknowledged the inherent risks associated with vehicle pursuits but stressed the importance of addressing policy violations through appropriate channels. Sutton, following the pardon, expressed his appreciation to the president and expressed a desire to return to the police force to complete his career, though the feasibility of this remains uncertain.
For more news and updates from CNN, visit CNN.com and register for an account to access CNN’s newsletters.
