Five Louisiana law enforcement officers have been charged in connection with the death of Black man Ronald Greene, a motorist who was chased by police, run off the road and beaten to death while traveling on a state highway, the New York Times reports.
Police originally said Greene died after his car ran off the road and hit a tree in 2019; however, when he was taken to a hospital for treatment, attending medical staff reported injuries inconsistent with a traffic accident, such as puncture marks consistent with a Taser strike, something that would have been unnecessary if the man died in the traffic accident as officers described.
After a two-year legal case against local authorities, the Associated Press uncovered police body cam footage showing Greene emerging from the car wreck as a number of officer surrounded him, punching and kicking him. He is heard saying, “I’m scared” before an officer puts him in a chokehold and he passes out.
One of the officers was charged with negligent homicide. The other charges include malfeasance in office and obstruction of justice. Four were members of the Louisiana State Police, with the final person a deputy in the Union Parish sheriff’s office.