Soldier Charged in Connection with Ronald Greene’s Death Reaches Plea Agreement

A state trooper in Louisiana charged in connection with the death of Ronald Greene, a Black man, reached a plea deal this week.

Kory York on Monday pleaded no contest to reduced charges, avoiding prison time for Greene, a black driver, for her role in the 2019 race. The plea marks the first conviction in a high-profile police brutality case that sparked national outrage.

York, one of five officers charged in the case two years ago, faced the most serious charges. Body camera footage showed York dragging Greene by his ankle shackles and forcing him to lie face down while handcuffed, moments before Greene stopped breathing.

How did Greene die?

Greene’s death in May 2019 raised suspicions when state officials initially told his family he died in a car crash following a high-speed chase near Monroe; An emergency room doctor immediately disputed this statement. However, the state police crash report made no mention of officers using force, and it took 462 days for the internal investigation to begin. Throughout this period, officials, including former Gov. John Bel Edwards, blocked the release of body camera footage.

In 2021, the Associated Press reported that soldiers surrounding Greene raised his hands, begged for mercy, and shouted, “I’m your brother! I’m scared!” He obtained and released body camera footage showing him shouting.

Accusations Against the Police

Soldiers used a stun gun on Greene multiple times; An officer tackled Greene to the ground, choked him, and punched him in the face.

Another soldier hit Greene in the head with a flashlight and was caught saying on camera that he was “beating her ever-living dick.” That trooper, Chris Hollingsworth, was described as the most responsible of the officers involved, but he died in a single-car crash in 2020, just hours after he was notified he would be relieved of duty.

What is York’s Plea Agreement?

He pleaded no contest to a charge of misdemeanor battery in lieu of previous charges of negligent homicide and malfeasance against York. He now faces a year of probation and has agreed to testify against another officer charged in the case.

The plea deal moved forward despite strong opposition from Greene’s family, who said they were misled about its terms and refused the opportunity to see the serious charges against him in court.

District Attorney John Belton declined to comment on whether justice was served in Greene’s death, stating the case remains open.

Greene’s mother, Mona Hardin, refused to sign the plea agreement and said, “My family is a victim and we should have more say.”

“This must not end today,” he told the court. “This is wrong. This isn’t fair.”

But York’s lawyer, Mike Small, said: “This is clearly a victory for Kory York… This is not an admission of guilt.”

This article contains news from the Associated Press.