ACLU of Louisiana calls for firing of police officers indicted in Ronald Greene’s death

By Wesley Muller
Contributing Writer

(lailluminator.com) — The ACLU of Louisiana is calling for the termination of the five officers involved in the May 2019 beating and death of Ronald Greene, in the wake of grand jury indictments Thursday. Four Louisiana state troopers and a Union Parish sheriff’s deputy were charged.

State Police have said two of the troopers, Master Trooper Kory York and Lt. John Clary, have so far been placed on administrative leave as a result of the grand jury’s action. York faces one count of negligent homicide and 10 counts of malfeasance in office. Clary faces charges of malfeasance in office and obstruction of justice. Both troopers remain employed and could be placed back on duty or work at another agency if cleared of the charges.

Two other troopers, Dakota DeMoss and retired Capt. John Peters, each face charges of obstruction of justice. The fifth officer involved, Union Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Harpin, faces three counts of malfeasance in office.

DeMoss was arrested last year in a separate excessive force case.
Alanah Odoms, executive director of ACLU of Louisiana, said in a press release issued soon after the announcement of charges against the officers, that all five should be terminated and have their police certifications revoked to prevent them from working in law enforcement again in the future.

“Placing these troopers on administrative leave is not justice for Ronald Greene — it is instead a luxury that allows the officers who killed him to retire or resign and join any other law enforcement agency throughout the state,” Odoms said. “This lack of accountability is shocking because it means these troopers could be free to continue their pattern of abuse.”

Odoms referred to a new law the Louisiana Legislature passed this year that helps prevent rogue officers from being hired by other police departments, even if the officer is allowed to resign or retire as a result of disciplinary action.

“If this type of violent behavior is left unchecked, it will certainly result in more brutality and more deaths,” she said. “We must finally break this pattern of allowing officers who act with impunity to continue working in this state. These agencies must start investigating misconduct in good faith and decertifying officers that should not have a badge here or elsewhere.”

This article originally published in the December 26, 2022 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.