NEW ORLEANS – The ACLU of Louisiana today condemned an apparent cover-up by the Louisiana State Police regarding the death of Ronald Greene, who died after a struggle with police last year.
According to the Associated Press, “Greene's family said authorities initially claimed Greene died after crashing into a tree but omitted what State Police now acknowledge was the ‘struggle’ preceding his death. The lawsuit, drawing on witness accounts, alleges officers pinned Greene to the ground and used a stun gun on him even after he apologized for leading them on a chase.”
“We are deeply alarmed by what appears to be an 17-month-long cover-up by the Louisiana State Police and an intentional effort to deceive Ronald Greene’s family about the circumstances of his death,” said Alanah Odoms Hebert, ACLU of Louisiana executive director. “Once again, a Black man’s family is grieving because of the actions of police officers who have never been held accountable. The fact that Ronald Greene’s family is still waiting for answers more than a year after his death is a tragic and unacceptable miscarriage of justice that needs to be addressed now. This is especially concerning given that LSP is often charged with investigating allegations of excessive force and misconduct by local police departments. LSP must immediately release all body camera footage of the incident as well as the names of the officers involved.”
