Federal prosecutors have informed Ronald Greene’s family that they will not be pressing charges in connection with his fatal 2019 arrest. This decision marks the conclusion of a lengthy FBI investigation into the actions of white troopers who were involved in the incident. Additionally, allegations of an attempted cover-up by the Louisiana State Police were addressed during this investigation.
The U.S. Justice Department shared this decision with Greene’s family while also preparing to release findings from a broader civil rights investigation. This investigation revealed a pattern of state troopers using excessive force, according to sources familiar with the inquiry who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. The findings from this investigation are expected to be made public later this week.
The civil rights inquiry, launched in 2022, was initiated following an AP investigation that uncovered several cases where state troopers and their superiors overlooked or concealed evidence of physical violence, shifted blame, and hindered efforts to address misconduct within the agency. In one disturbing case, a white trooper severely injured a Black man during a traffic stop, inflicting multiple serious injuries.
Greene’s mother, Mona Hardin, expressed disappointment after meeting with prosecutors, stating that the decision brought no closure. The AP’s investigation also revealed instances of state police brutality against white suspects, with troopers making derogatory remarks and sharing disturbing images of their victims.
Federal prosecutors had opened grand jury investigations into some of these cases, but most were closed without charges being filed. In Greene’s case, there was uncertainty for years about whether the troopers involved would be indicted. Body-camera footage, released by AP in 2021 after being withheld by officials for two years, captured the violent encounter between troopers and Greene.
Despite initial claims by state police that Greene’s death was the result of a crash following a high-speed chase, subsequent evidence contradicted this explanation. A reexamined autopsy ordered by the FBI debunked the crash narrative and highlighted factors such as neck compression and physical struggle as contributing to Greene’s death.
The case has raised significant concerns about law enforcement practices and accountability, with calls for justice continuing to mount.
State charges against five officers in the death of Ronald Greene were initially dropped, but later two officers faced charges for their involvement. One of the officers admitted to dragging Greene and pleading no contest to misdemeanor battery. The remaining defendant is expected to enter a similar plea soon, bringing the state proceedings to a close.
Federal charges were hindered by the death of trooper Chris Hollingsworth, who was captured on video hitting Greene with a flashlight. Hollingsworth died in a car crash after being informed of his imminent termination over his actions in Greene’s death. The question of whether the troopers willfully abused Greene posed a challenge for prosecutors in pursuing civil rights charges, a common hurdle in such cases nationwide. The FBI examined the arrest video to determine if Greene was pepper-sprayed after being detained, focusing on a remark made by a deputy.
The federal investigation also probed allegations of state police superiors impeding justice by concealing video evidence, halting a detective’s recommendation to arrest a trooper, and pressuring a state prosecutor. A wrongful death lawsuit filed by Greene’s family against the officers is still pending, with the officers maintaining their innocence. The civil case was put on hold during the criminal proceedings.
In late 2022, a state grand jury indicted five officers in connection with Greene’s death, ranging from negligent homicide to malfeasance. Charges were reduced to only two officers, one of whom confessed to dragging Greene and pleaded no contest to a lesser charge. The last remaining defendant is anticipated to make a similar plea, effectively concluding the state’s legal proceedings.
The death of trooper Chris Hollingsworth, who was filmed repeatedly striking Greene with a flashlight, presented a significant obstacle to federal charges. Hollingsworth died in a high-speed crash shortly after being informed of his impending dismissal for his involvement in Greene’s death. The issue of proving whether the troopers acted intentionally in mistreating Greene complicated efforts to bring civil rights charges, a common challenge in similar cases nationwide. The FBI analyzed the arrest video to ascertain whether Greene was subjected to pepper spray after being detained, focusing on a remark made by a deputy.
The federal inquiry also examined allegations of state police leadership obstructing justice by concealing video evidence, halting a detective’s recommendation to arrest a trooper, and pressuring a state prosecutor. A wrongful death lawsuit filed by Greene’s family against the officers remains unresolved, with the officers denying any misconduct. The civil case was put on hold pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings.
