Kory York Enters Plea to Avoid Jail Time
In a case that ignited national outrage, Louisiana state trooper Kory York pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery in the fatal 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene, a Black motorist. The plea deal, reached Monday, reduced the original felony charges against York, including negligent homicide and malfeasance, to a lesser charge, allowing him to avoid jail. Instead, he received a one-year probation sentence, and as part of the deal, he agreed to testify against the remaining officer facing trial in the case.
Greene’s Family Expresses Outrage Over Plea Deal
The last-minute plea deal has left Greene’s family reeling. Greene’s mother, Mona Hardin, said they were “misled” about the agreement’s terms and felt “robbed” of the chance for a trial. “My family is a victim, and we should have more of a say,” Hardin said in a crowded courtroom. She expressed her disappointment, stating, “This shouldn’t end today. It’s wrong. It’s unfair.”
District Attorney John Belton did not comment on whether he believed justice was served, stating only that the case remains open.
Controversial Footage Sparks Ongoing Public Outcry
Ronald Greene’s death in May 2019 initially raised suspicions after state authorities informed his family that he had died from a car crash following a high-speed chase. An emergency room doctor, however, questioned this account almost immediately. A police crash report omitted any mention of force used by officers, and it took 462 days before the Louisiana State Police launched an internal investigation.
The case took a turn in 2021 when the Associated Press published body-camera footage showing troopers surrounding Greene, who pleaded for help and cried out, “I’m your brother! I’m scared!” The footage revealed troopers repeatedly using stun guns, placing Greene in a chokehold, and using forceful tactics. In one disturbing moment, Greene was struck with a flashlight by trooper Chris Hollingsworth, who later died in a car crash shortly after learning he would be terminated.
York to Keep His Pension and Avoid Further Legal Ramifications
York’s no-contest plea means he will serve no jail time, but he will be on probation for a year. He will also retain his $83,000-per-year pension, having retired from the Louisiana State Police in August. York’s attorney, Mike Small, said the plea deal was “a victory” for York and argued that the plea does not equate to an admission of guilt.
While York was initially suspended for 50 hours following Greene’s death, he was ultimately cleared of any conclusive link to Greene’s cause of death. Forensic reports listed multiple contributing factors, including physical restraint, blunt-force injuries, and “complications of cocaine use,” without clearly determining which factor was the most lethal.
Calls for Accountability and Federal Investigation Continue
Greene’s death, along with other alleged instances of brutality by Louisiana troopers, led the U.S. Department of Justice to open a civil rights investigation into the Louisiana State Police’s practices. However, federal prosecutors have yet to announce whether additional charges will be filed against the officers involved in Greene’s death.
The Greene family and civil rights advocates continue to call for accountability and transparency, stressing the need for reform in how such cases are handled and prosecuted in Louisiana. The outcome of this case has only intensified public scrutiny on police practices within the state.
