Officials in Louisiana have agreed to a preliminary $4.8 million settlement with the family of Ronald Green, a black motorist who died following a violent 2019 traffic arrest involving five white police officers, the AP reported, citing people familiar with the settlement.
The proposed deal would resolve a federal wrongful-death lawsuit filed by Greene’s family after his death sparked national outrage and restore scrutiny of police behavior in the United States.
The roadside arrest death drew national attention
Greene’s case gained widespread attention in 2021 after the Associated Press obtained and released body camera and surveillance footage showing Louisiana State Police officers repeatedly punching, kicking and using stun guns on Greene during an arrest near the town of Monroe.
The footage contradicted the original official account of the incident.
The settlement is pending legislative approval
The settlement agreement still requires approval from the Louisiana Legislature before it becomes final, according to individuals with direct knowledge of the case, the AP reported.
Louisiana State Police spokesman Capt. Russell Graham declined to comment on the details of the settlement.
“The process is not complete yet,” Graham said.
The family has not yet commented publicly
Mona Hardin, Greene’s mother, did not immediately comment.
Greene’s family has long accused state authorities of covering up the true circumstances of his death and failing to hold officers accountable.
Federal prosecutors have dismissed the charges
Despite the graphic footage and public criticism, federal prosecutors last year declined to file criminal charges against the troopers involved in Greene’s arrest and death.
The decision drew criticism from civil rights advocates and renewed the debate over police accountability in cases of excessive force.
The original police account was later denied by the video
Nearly two years after Greene’s death, authorities said the 49-year-old died after crashing his vehicle into a tree following a high-speed police chase.
State police initially refused to release footage of the arrest, fueling allegations of a cover-up.
However, video later obtained by news outlets showed Greene apologizing to officers after the chase before being subjected to repeated force.
The video showed stun guns, punches and a chokehold
The footage showed officers using stun guns on an unarmed Green, knocking him to the ground and placing him in a chokehold.
Soldiers were also seen punching Greene and dragging him face down while his hands were handcuffed and his feet were shackled.
According to reports, Greene was later left lying on the ground without immediate medical attention.
Traffic started for an unspecified offense
Authorities first attempted to stop Greene for what was described as an unspecified traffic violation before the standoff escalated into a pursuit and violent arrest.
The case became one of several high-profile incidents involving police use of force against black Americans that have intensified calls for police reforms across the country.
