A former Louisiana state trooper who had faced felony charges in the 2019 death of a Black man who was beaten while in police custody pleaded no contest to significantly reduced charges on Monday, allowing him to avoid jail time in a case that drew protests and spurred a federal civil rights investigation.
The trooper, Kory York, 51, had initially faced charges of negligent homicide and 10 counts of malfeasance in office in the death of Ronald Greene, 49, who was beaten while in custody after a high-speed chase on May 10, 2019. In an agreement with prosecutors, Mr. York on Monday pleaded no contest to eight counts of misdemeanor battery in exchange for one year of probation, his lawyer, Mike Small said.
The no-contest plea, Mr. Small said, is not an admission of guilt.
Four other law enforcement officers were also charged in the case, but Mr. York, who retired in August, had faced the most serious charges.
“This was an outstanding result,” Mr. Small said.
Family members of Mr. Greene gathered in a courtroom on Monday in Farmerville, La., as Mr. York’s trial was about to begin. Mr. Small said that Mr. Greene’s mother, Mona Hardin, and another family member spoke in court, asking the judge to not approve the no-contest plea agreement.
“My family is a victim, and we should have more of a say,” Ms. Hardin said, according to The Associated Press.
The family of Mr. Greene could not immediately be reached for comment on Monday afternoon.
John Belton, the district attorney for the Third Judicial District of Louisiana, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday.
Mr. York was one of five law enforcement officers who were charged in the death of Mr. Greene, who had been pursued by troopers because of a traffic violation. Initially, Mr. Green’s family had been told that he had died from injuries he had sustained in a crash. But details later revealed that, while in custody, Mr. Greene had been shocked with a Taser, put into a chokehold and punched repeatedly as he cried for help.
The Union Parish coroner ruled his death accidental from cardiac arrest at the time. Mr. Greene’s family commissioned an autopsy that found he had suffered injuries to his skull and face.
Mr. Greene’s mother had called for the troopers in the case to be charged, describing what happened to her son as “inhumane.” The case drew protests and prompted a federal investigation into the pursuit of Mr. Greene and his death. The findings of that investigation have not been released.
The family of Mr. Greene filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Mr. York. That case is pending.
Body camera footage from the encounter, first released by The Associated Press in May 2021, showed that state troopers had wrestled Mr. Greene to the ground and used a stun gun on him. Mr. Greene is heard in the video repeating, “I’m sorry,” and “I’m scared.” The video also showed Mr. York dragging Mr. Greene by his ankles while he’s handcuffed and face down.
Lt. John Clary, the highest-ranking trooper at the scene, was charged with malfeasance in office and obstruction of justice. In November 2023, charges against Lt. Clary were dropped and he was reinstated shortly after, according to A.P.
Charges against former state troopers Dakota DeMoss and John Peters were dismissed in July 2023, A.P. reported. Another state trooper who was involved, Chris Hollingsworth, died in a single-vehicle accident after he was placed on administrative leave in 2020.
The case against Christopher Harpin, a deputy at Union Parish Sheriff’s Office, who was charged with three counts of malfeasance in office, is pending. He is on administrative leave, according to the Union Parish sheriff’s office.
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