Rarely, do you see police officers testify against fellow police officers, especially in criminal cases where innocent Black people are involved. But in the case of Ronald Greene, it seems like that very occurrence is going to happen.
Initially shrouded in mystery, Louisiana police officials originally claimed that Greene died in May 2019 after his car crashed into a tree. But body camera footage released in 2021 shows White state troopers brutally arresting and beating the Black Greene after he failed to pull over for an unknown traffic violation.
Troopers can be seen punching, choking, dragging, and stunning Greene while another can be heard saying, “Stupid motherfucker” and “You’re going to get it again if you don’t put your fucking hands behind your back!”
Instead of lending him aid after the incident, the authorities left him shackled in a prone position until he died.
In the time since, five of the officers involved in the incident have been indicted on state charges, including Lt. John Clary and Master Trooper Kory York.
Lt. Clary was charged with malfeasance in office and obstruction of justice after he was accussed of lying about the existence of footage even though it came from his body camera.
But on Wednesday, Louisiana District Attorney John Belton agreed to drop the charges against Clary after saying that he would take the stand against his former colleague, York, according to the Associated Press.
Belton decided to drop the charges after discussing it with Greene’s family, telling AP, “Mr. Clary has and will continue to cooperate with the state and testify truthfully in this matter.”
On the other hand, York is being charged with negligent homicide after he allegedly forced Greene to lie facedown in handcuffs for nearly 10 minutes, which experts believe led to his restricted breathing.
More from the Associated Press:
York is expected to stand trial next year but is asking an appellate court to throw out his own indictment after prosecutors acknowledged a mistake by allowing a use-of-force expert to review protected statements York made during an internal affairs inquiry. Such compelled interviews may be used to discipline officers administratively but are specifically shielded from use in criminal cases.
Although five officers were initially indicted on criminal charges in 2022, only two officers will go to trial for them. Other than York, Chris Harpen was charged with two counts of malfeasance for allegedly teasing Greene before he died.
Along with Clary, the charges against the two other officers involved have also been dismissed, according to the Associated Press.