Federal Prosecutors Decline Charges In Ronald Greene's Deadly Arrest

This undated photo provided by his family in September 2020 shows Ronald Greene. Authorities initially said Greene died in May 2019 after crashing his vehicle into a tree following a high-speed

Federal prosecutors have informed the family of Ronald Greene that they will not be bringing charges in the 2019 arrest that led to Greene's death. This decision marks the conclusion of a lengthy FBI investigation into the actions of White troopers involved in the incident and allegations of a cover-up by the Louisiana State Police.

The US Justice Department shared this decision with Greene's family while also preparing to release findings from a broader civil rights investigation. This investigation uncovered a pattern of state troopers using excessive force, as highlighted by Greene's arrest and other similar cases.

An Associated Press investigation revealed at least a dozen cases where state troopers and their superiors ignored evidence of misconduct, including beatings and attempts to conceal wrongdoing. The investigation also uncovered instances of state police violence against both Black and White suspects.

Investigation uncovers state troopers' pattern of excessive force.

Federal prosecutors won't charge in Ronald Greene's 2019 death.

AP investigation reveals state troopers ignored misconduct evidence.

The body-camera footage of Greene's arrest, initially withheld but later published by AP, showed troopers using excessive force on Greene, including stun guns and physical violence. Despite this evidence, federal prosecutors struggled with the decision to indict the troopers captured in the video.

A reexamined autopsy ordered by the FBI debunked the initial explanation of Greene's death being the result of a crash following a high-speed chase. The autopsy listed factors such as neck compression, physical struggle, and cocaine use as contributing to Greene's death.

The federal investigation also focused on state police officials suspected of obstructing justice by suppressing evidence and pressuring prosecutors. While a state grand jury indicted five officers in connection to Greene's death, the case ultimately resulted in charges against only two officers.

The untimely death of one of the troopers involved in the incident and challenges in proving willful misconduct posed hurdles to federal charges in the case. The federal wrongful death lawsuit filed by Greene's family seeking damages from the officers remains pending.

As the criminal and civil proceedings continue to unfold, the case of Ronald Greene's arrest and subsequent death serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in holding law enforcement officers accountable for their actions.