Former trooper in Greene death takes plea deal

FARMERVILLE — The former Louisiana State Trooper initially charged with negligent homicide in the 2019 death of Black motorist Ronald Greene will serve no jail time after accepting a plea deal amid protests from Greene’s family.

Kory York has pleaded no contest on Monday to amended charges of eight misdemeanor criminal counts of simple battery. York received a six-month suspended sentence, was placed on one year of supervised probation and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine plus perform 160 hours of community service.

“The state has agreed there will be no jail time imposed on Mr. York,” 3rd District Judge Thomas Rogers said.

If York violates his probation, he will serve six months in the parish jail.

“We’re very, very happy with the outcome,” York’s attorney Mike Small said.

He said he remains confident a jury would have found York not guilty.

“It’s a case I wanted very much to try before a jury,” Small said.

York’s no- contest plea cannot be used against him in any civil proceedings.

The charges against York were downgraded from malfeasance in office to simple battery. York was originally charged with one count of negligent homicide and 10 counts of malfeasance in office stemming from allegations that he repeatedly beat Greene even after Greene was subdued.

But in September, prosecutors dropped the negligent homicide charge and one more of what by then were nine malfeasance counts.

Members of Greene’s family criticized the plea deal — one they say they never wanted but prosecutors said they initially accepted. Greene’s supporters vowed to take their fight to federal court. They say among other things that Greene was targeted because he was Black.

“We were so disrespected as victims in the courtroom because the fix was in,” Belinda Parker Brown, president of the human rights group Louisiana United International, said during a rally outside the Union Parish Courthouse.

Brown said Greene’s family members were already victims “ but they became victimized all over against by this court, this judge, this district attorney.”

She called on the U.S. Department of Justice to do a comprehensive investigation that the Greene supporters say they hope leads to additional charges.

Lee Merritt, one of the Greene family attorneys, criticized Rogers, saying the court’s acceptance of the plea deal over the family’s objections was “a breach of precedence” of giving deference to a family in a death case.

He, too, said the DOJ should investigate the case. There’s already an active federal civil case involving Greene’s death.

District Attorney John Belton also mentioned the DOJ, saying according to U.S. Attorney Brandon Brown, the federal case is still open.

“The state has consistently held the position that the federal government has the most resources and is most appropriately positioned to fairly investigate and to pursue the prosecution of any federal offenses in this case, including civil rights violations,” Belton said in a statement released after Monday’s proceeding.

York was one of five law enforcement officers indicted by a Union Parish grand jury in December 2022. Charges were subsequently dropped against three of the men, all current for former state troopers.

Union Parish Sheriff ’s Deputy Chris Harpin is the remaining defendant. Harpin faces two counts of malfeasance in office. As of now, he’s expected to go to trial next year.

Greene died May 10, 2019, alongside a rural Union Parish road after leading state police on a high-speed chase that began in Ouachita Parish. Greene was Black; the officers, white.

Troopers’ body camera footage released almost two years later appears to show officers beating, kicking, and pepper spraying Greene after he was subdued until he became unresponsive.

Belton was visibly moved by emotional statements made by Greene’s mother, Mona Hardin, during the 15-minute court proceeding.

“I have the utmost respect for the family,” Belton said as family members left the courtroom, many openly criticizing him. “I haven’t lost a child. I can’t stand here and tell you I understand what (Greene’s mother is) going through.”

He refrained from further comment, citing Harpin’s pending trial.

Belton later released a statement saying the plea deal “was agreed to by the state after a conversation earlier this month with the family of Ronald Greene and their legal counsel with whom the Office of District Attorney has communicated throughout the process.”

Prosecutors said they had a verbal agreement from Greene’s mother, but that she withdrew it after the parties had formalized the plea agreement.

In between the time of the verbal agreement and withdrawal, prospective jurors were dismissed after being told the case had reached a settlement.

Prosecutors said Monday’s plea deal began with a telephone call from York’s attorney. Small, who from the start has maintained his client’s innocence, said the final deal came “after both sides had a chance to evaluate the evidence.”

More than 30 of York’s family members and friends filled about a third of the standing- room- only courtroom. They were ushered into the courtroom early, then ushered out by parish sheriff’s deputies by a route that took them away from the media and Greene’s supporters rally.

Greene’s family and supporters, many wearing green shirts, filled most of the courtroom.

Court personnel warned spectators against outbursts either during Greene family members’ comments or the sentencing, saying disruptors would be escorted from the room.

“Our family did not wish to accept no plea deal,” Greene’s brother, Sean Greene, said. “We want this to go to trial. If not, we are helping cover up everything that happened that night.”

“They took away his civil right,” Greene’s sister, Alana Wilson, said. “There’s no way you should uphold (York’s). We’re a victim. … We didn’t wait five-and-a-half years not to get our day in court.”