A Louisiana state trooper charged in connection with the death of Ronald Greene, a black man, reached a plea deal this week.

On Monday, Kory York pleaded no contest to reduced charges, avoiding jail time for his 2019 role as Greene, a black driver. The plea marks the first conviction in a police brutality case that has sparked national outrage.

York, one of five officers indicted in the case two years ago, had faced the most serious charges. Body camera footage showed York dragging Greene by the ankle cuffs and forcing him to lie face down while handcuffed, moments before Greene stopped breathing.

How did Greene die?

Greene’s death in May 2019 raised suspicion from the start because state officials initially told the family he died in a car crash following a high-speed chase near Monroe — an account that a doctor from the emergency room quickly challenged it. Despite that, the state police crash report made no mention of officers using force, and it took 462 days to begin an internal investigation. Throughout that time, officials, including former Gov. John Bel Edwards, have refused to release the body camera footage.

In 2021, The Associated Press obtained and released body camera footage showing soldiers surrounding Greene as he appeared to raise his hands, beg for mercy and shout, “I’m your brother! I’m afraid!”

Allegations against the police

The troopers repeatedly used stun guns on Greene, an officer wrestled him to the ground, applying a chokehold and punching him in the face.

Another police officer hit Greene in the head with a flashlight and was caught on camera bragging that he “beat the hell out of him forever.” That officer, Chris Hollingsworth, was identified as the most responsible of the officers involved, but he died in a single-car crash in 2020, just hours after being notified of his impending firing.

What is York’s plea deal?

In lieu of the previous felony charges against York of negligent homicide and criminal mischief, he pleaded no contest to a battery charge. He will now face a year of probation and has agreed to testify against another officer facing charges in the case.

The plea deal went ahead despite strong opposition from Greene’s family, who said they were misled about its terms and denied the opportunity to see the felony charges addressed in court.

District Attorney John Belton declined to comment on whether justice has been served in Greene’s death, saying the case remains open.

Greene’s mother, Mona Hardin, refused to sign the plea agreement and said, “My family is a victim and we should have more to say.”

“This should not end today,” she told the court. “It’s wrong. It’s unfair.”

Still, York’s attorney, Mike Small, said, “This is clearly a victory for Kory York. . . . It is not an admission of guilt.”

This article includes reporting from the Associated Press.