President Donald Trump gestures as he signs executive orders at an indoor Presidential Inauguration parade event in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Drama unfolds in Washington, D.C., as Donald Trump grants a shocking pardon to two police officers convicted in the death of Karon Hylton-Brown. The 20-year-old Black man was killed in a high-speed chase that sparked chaos and protests in 2020.
In October 2020, officers Andrew Zabavsky and Terence Sutton chased Hylton-Brown, who was riding a moped without a helmet. The pursuit ended in tragedy when an unrelated car struck and killed the young man. His death became a flashpoint, igniting fiery protests just months after George Floyd’s murder.
Investigators revealed a disturbing cover-up. The officers allegedly turned off body cameras, tampered with evidence, and misled their superiors. Their actions outraged the public and led to their convictions. Sutton received a 66-month sentence for second-degree murder, obstruction, and conspiracy. Zabavsky was sentenced to 48 months for obstruction and conspiracy.
Despite the convictions, Trump swooped in with a full pardon. The former president described himself as “a friend of the police.” His decision stunned many, reigniting debate over justice and accountability. Trump claimed the officers were wrongly punished for pursuing “a rough criminal.”
The officers expressed relief and gratitude. Sutton, overwhelmed by the news, said he hopes to return to the police force. Zabavsky’s attorney, Christopher Zampogna, praised Trump’s move, calling it “a fair and just decision.”
Hylton-Brown’s death left his family devastated. His mother, Karen Hylton, begged Trump not to pardon the officers. “Do not pardon these murderers,” she pleaded. Her cries fell on deaf ears, sparking renewed anger and grief.
The D.C. Police Union argued the charges were excessive, especially Sutton’s murder conviction. Former D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham suggested the case was influenced by the George Floyd protests. Prosecutors, however, defended the verdicts.
“Public safety requires public trust,” U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves said. The FBI echoed this, stating, “These crimes erode trust and endanger the community.”
Trump’s controversial pardon raises questions about justice and police accountability. Critics say it undermines trust, while supporters argue the officers were scapegoats in a politically charged atmosphere.
Hylton-Brown’s death remains a painful reminder of the deep divisions in America. The story of the chase, the cover-up, and the pardon will haunt D.C. for years to come.
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