Lawmakers to investigate death of Black motorist that was covered up by Louisiana State Police

LAFAYETTE, La. — A top Republican state lawmaker announced Thursday a bipartisain committee to investigate the death of Ronald Greene, an unarmed Black motorist who died in 2019 following a brutal beating by Louisiana State Police whose troopers then covered it up.

Republican state House Speaker Clay Schexnayder said the committee was prompted by continuing questions about a State Police coverup of details surrounding Greene's death and Gov. John Bel Edwards' denial that he impeded any investigation.

"These events have raised serious questions regarding who knew what and when," Schexnayder said in a statement.

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Greene's cause of death was first covered up by State Police troopers on the scene who said Greene died from injuries suffered in a car accident during their pursuit of him.

Last year, the Associated Press published videos showing State Police troopers beating, stunning and dragging Greene after a car chase in 2019 outside Monroe. “I’m sorry,” he pleaded, blood splashed on his skin and clothes. “I beat the ever-living f--- out of him,” one officer said in an audio recording. Greene stopped breathing soon after. 

For almost two years, troopers lied to Greene’s mother by saying her son had died in a car crash. They had refused to release the videos revealing the truth. 

Since the federal investigation launched, pressure has mounted not only on the department but also in the state’s highest office. The AP reported last week that Edwards was notified of the circumstances of Greene’s death within hours back in 2019 but did not publicly acknowledge those details. 

In a statement, Edwards said he welcomes "any and all legislative oversight and hope that this will be a productive, nonpartisan discussion of how to continue the ongoing reforms at Louisiana State Police so that what happened the night of Ronald Greene’s death never happens again."

Edwards received a text message from then-State Police Superintendent Kevin Reeves hours after the 2019 incident in which Reeves reported than an unidentified suspect died following a "violent, lengthy struggle" during an arrest. The governor said he didn't see a video of the incident until months later and has taken a hands-off approach while a federal investigation is ongoing. 

"I am certain that any fair and impartial investigation will conclude that I made no attempt to impede or interfere with any investigation into Mr. Greene’s death," he said. "Any allegation to the contrary is simply not true." 

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In a press release, Schexnadyer said the formation of the committee "is necessitated based on new revelations in the case from the last week, including the concerning information shared in recent press articles and statements made by the governor in his corresponding press conference."

Schexnadyer said the committee will conduct hearings to "review the handling, on all levels, of the Ronald Greene incident." He said the hearings will include witnesses and take place soon after the end of the current special session on redistricting.

State Police said the agency will fully cooperate with the House committee and all other ongoing investigations.

“Over the last 16 months, our agency has worked tirelessly to regain the trust of our citizens, our law enforcement partners, our political leaders, and the men and women of our agency," the agency said in a statement. "The actions of these troopers are under federal investigation, and are not in any way condoned by our agency, its policies, nor the law.  This is evident in our actions to move forward with investigations against our own personnel resulting in criminal charges and/or administrative discipline."

A Senate select committee on State Police oversight has already held hearings concerning the Greene case.

Contributing: Brett Murphy, Paste BN; Greg Hilburn covers Louisiana politics for the Paste BN Network. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.