Emmanuel OchayiFormer US President Donald Trump has pardoned two Washington, D.C., police officers, Terence Sutton Jr. and Andrew Zabavsky, convicted in connection with the 2020 death of 20-year-old Karon Hylton-Brown.
The White House announced the pardon on Wednesday, marking a controversial decision that has drawn strong reactions from various groups.
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Sutton, 43, was sentenced in September 2024 to 66 months in prison after being found guilty of second-degree murder, conspiracy to obstruct, and obstruction of justice. Zabavsky, 55, received a 48-month sentence for conspiracy to obstruct and obstruction of justice. Both convictions stemmed from a police chase on October 23, 2020, in Northwest Washington, D.C., that resulted in a fatal collision with Hylton-Brown, who was on a moped.
The Justice Department explained that the officers were appealing their convictions and had remained free during the process. The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed that both men were placed on indefinite suspension without pay pending administrative review.
Families and Advocates React
Hylton-Brown’s mother, Karen Hylton, expressed shock and grief upon learning about the pardons.
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“This is a slap in the face to my family and to the memory of my son,” Karen said in an emotional statement. “Karon deserved justice, and this pardon takes that away from us. How do I explain this to my grandchildren?”
Defense Teams Praise Trump’s Action
The officers’ legal teams celebrated the decision. Kellen Dwyer, Sutton’s attorney, said, “We were confident that the D.C. Circuit would overturn this conviction. President Trump has shown courage in recognising the unfairness of this case. We are grateful.”
Christopher Zampogna, Zabavsky’s attorney, added, “This is a day of relief for my client and his family. Thank you to President Trump for stepping in and ending this injustice.”
Jury Found Reckless Actions
During their trial, the jury determined that Sutton had engaged in a reckless police pursuit, showing a “conscious disregard” for the safety of others, which led to Hylton-Brown’s death. The officers were also accused of conspiring to cover up details of the crash to avoid scrutiny.
The DC Police Union had earlier petitioned for pardons, stating that the officers acted in the line of duty and were being unfairly punished.
Ties to Broader Issues
The case occurred just months after the murder of George Floyd, which sparked global protests against police brutality. Trump’s pardon of Sutton and Zabavsky has been met with criticism from some advocacy groups who view it as undermining efforts to hold law enforcement accountable.
Trump’s latest decision comes on the heels of another controversial move earlier in the week. He pardoned over 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riots, some of whom had been convicted of assaulting police officers.
Police Unions Respond
The Fraternal Order of Police, the largest police union in the U.S., issued a joint statement with the International Association of Chiefs of Police, criticising the decision.
“We are deeply discouraged by these pardons,” the statement read. “Accountability is crucial to maintaining public trust, and these actions undermine that trust.”
The debate surrounding Trump’s decision continues to grow, with many questioning the implications for justice and accountability in law enforcement.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
