by Wesley Harris
Louisiana officials have agreed to a tentative $4.8 million settlement with the family of Ronald Greene, a motorist who died during a violent roadside arrest in Union Parish in 2019.
The settlement was first reported by The Associated Press, the news service that obtained footage in 2021 showing officers punching, kicking and using stun guns on Greene as he attempted to apologize for running from them. Up to that time, Louisiana State Police said Greene died in a crash during the pursuit.
The settlement is subject to approval by the Louisiana Legislature.
The AP reported Louisiana State Police spokesman Capt. Russell Graham said LSP could not comment on the settlement because the process has not yet been finalized.
However, Liz Murrill, Louisiana’s attorney general, confirmed Wednesday the dollar amount reported is accurate. The deal will resolve a federal lawsuit against LSP and the state.
Several media outlets, citing sources familiar with the mediation agreement, reported the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office will pay an additional $50,000, bringing the total settlement to $4.85 million.
A state trooper had initially sought to stop Greene, 49, for a traffic violation in Ouachita Parish. Greene reportedly fled with troopers in pursuit until he was involved in a minor crash in Union Parish..
For two years after Greene’s death, Louisiana State Police refused to release footage of the arrest, initially claiming Greene, 49, died after crashing into a tree during the pursuit.
Video later obtained by AP showed troopers used stun guns on Greene as he apologized for leading them on the chase. Greene was taken to the ground, placed him in a chokehold and punched. Officers dragged him face down on the ground while his hands were cuffed and his legs were shackled then left him lying on the ground.
A paramedic who responded to the scene later told a state legislative committee Greene died at the scene.
Five law enforcement officers—four state troopers and a Union Parish deputy–were indicted by a Third District Court grand jury in December 2022 in connection with Greene’s death. The charges ranged from negligent homicide to malfeasance in office and obstruction of justice.
However, another trooper, Chris Hollingsworth, who appeared in the video to be responsible for the bulk of the injuries inflicted on Greene died in a high-speed Interstate 20 crash on the day he learned he would be fired for his actions in the incident.
The case stretched for nearly two years before all the charges were resolved. Part of the delay came with a U.S. Department of Justice request to hold off on state charges while the FBI investigated.
Eventually, the district attorney dropped the negligent homicide charge and several other offenses against the five because the evidence didn’t meet the standards for conviction.
One trooper eventually pleaded no contest to eight counts of misdemeanor simple battery. The Union Parish deputy pleaded no contest to one count of misdemeanor simple battery. Both insisted on their innocence through their attorneys but wanted resolve their cases.
All charges were dismissed against the three remaining troopers, including a supervisor who arrived at the scene after the incident and one who was not present at the scene but supervised the Troop F area.
Last year, federal prosecutors declined to bring charges against the troopers and deputy following an FBI investigation.
The Associated Press was unable to obtain a comment from the Greene family.
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