Louisiana lawmakers will investigate Ronald Greene death, State Police cover-up

Louisiana House Speaker Clay Schexnayder has created a bipartisan committee to investigate the case of Ronald Greene, the Black man who died in 2019 in Union Parish following a brutal beating by State Police.

Schexnayder, a Republican from Gonzales, said the formation of 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," the press release from Schexnayder said.

Analysis: Reanimation of Greene tragedy, and timing, could have far-reaching consequences

The speaker 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.

Members of the new House committee appointed by Schexnayder include: Chairman Tanner Magee, R-Houma; Rep. Tony Bacala, R-Prairieville; Rep. Jason Hughes, D-New Orleans; Rep. Edmond Jordan, D-Baton Rouge; Rep. Mandie Landry, D-New Orleans; Rep. Denise Marcelle, D-Baton Rouge; Rep. Richard Nelson, R-Mandeville; and Rep. Debbie Villio, R-Kenner.

In the 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."

Edwards said in a statement 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."

The governor reiterated that he 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."

This week: Louisiana State Police detectives met with Gov. Edwards' top attorney about Ronald Greene case

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 Ronald Greene case.

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 before the severity of Greene's beating and investigators' records became public.

Edwards received a text message from then-State Police Superintendent Kevin Reeves hours after the 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 never interfered with the investigation.

"I've never done anything to impede an investigation or prevent justice from being served," Edwards said during last week's press conference. "The implication that I knew more and tried to cover it up is simply and categorically false.

"It didn't happen," Edwards said. Any such allegations are "utterly false and baseless."

Greg Hilburn covers Louisiana politics for the USA Today Network. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Louisiana lawmakers will investigate Ronald Greene death, LSP cover-up