Officers Convicted of Murder in Fatal Chase Granted Clemency 

United States: On Wednesday, Donald Trump granted freedom to two Washington police officers convicted of killing Karon Hylton-Brown during an unauthorized chase in 2020. 

Former Officers Freed After Convictions 

The Justice Department announced last year that Terence Sutton Jr received a 66-month prison sentence along with Andrew Zabavsky’s 48-month sentence after their October 2020 unauthorized police chase resulted in Karon Hylton-Brown’s death. Both officers stayed free while waiting for their appeal results to come in, 

According to Metro Police, the officers Sutton and Zabavsky faced indefinite suspension without pay pending administrative review. 

Details of the Conviction 

In late 2022, following nine weeks of trial, a federal jury convicted Sutton of all charges, including second-degree murder and two obstruction offenses. The jury reached verdicts that Zabavsky participated in both a conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstructed justice, as reported by Reuters. 

According to the jury, Sutton drove his police car in a dangerous fashion that led directly to Hylton-Brown’s death. 

The jury learned Sutton and Zabavsky agreed to keep officials from knowing the actual causes behind Hylton-Brown’s fatal car accident. 

The DC Police Union asked the court to grant the officers a pardon. 

Legal and Public Reactions 

In a statement quoted by CNN, Sutton’s lawyer, Kellen Dwyer, stated that although he and his client were “confident that the D.C. Circuit would have reversed this conviction, we are thrilled that President Trump ended this prosecution once and for all.” Christopher Zampogna, Zabavsky’s lawyer, also expressed gratitude to Trump. 

Victim’s Family and Public Outcry 

According to CNN Karen Hylton cried tears when CNN informed her that President Trump planned to pardon her son and other attackers. 

After George Floyd lost his life when a Minneapolis officer pressed his neck for several minutes events unfolded several months later. The murder prompted people to arrange public demonstrations against police violence and race discrimination across American and global areas. 

Trump’s Controversial Pardons 

As president on his inauguration day Trump granted legal restitution to 1,500 supporters who assaulted U.S. Capitol defenders during the 2021 January 6 events. Some forgiveness went to individuals who physically attacked law enforcement, as reported by Reuters. 

After pardoning those responsible for Capitol Attack violence on January 6th the largest US police union that backed Trump announced deep concern about this decision.