Ronald Greene’s family demands justice from Louisiana leaders

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPOUD) – There was strong emotion from the family of Ronald Greene as they demanded accountability from Governor John Bel Edwards and Louisiana State Police for Greene’s death and the subsequent investigation.

The Baton Rouge Chapter of the NAACP and the National Bar Association joined the family, calling on the governor to resign. Greene’s mother, Mona Hardin, held her son’s ashes to represent the tragedy her family has faced.

“You wouldn’t accept your child being put, cremated, and sent FedExed to you due to a murder. How in the hell do you think we are going to accept it?” asked Hardin.

Nearly three years ago, Hardin got the worst call a mother can get.

“Death by a car wreck, it was almost immediately after that that we saw it was a totally different story,” Hardin said.

Her tragedy turned into a nightmare when she discovered her son died while in the custody of the Louisiana State Police.

“Those who had their hands on my son, who without care, you literally beat and tortured my son to death,” Hardin said. “I go back and I can’t help but hear my son screaming, to know that my son knew he wasn’t going to walk away, that was heavy on me.”

Exposed text messages have Greene’s family and supporters pointing to a cover-up.

“I’m sickened, I’m disgusted with the governor,” Hardin said.

Now Greene’s family is calling on him and others connected to his death to resign.

“The gig is up, the time is up, we are calling for justice now. With dismay that we are calling on the governor to resign,” said Judge Carlos Moore, president of the National Bar Association.

In response to an alleged cover-up, Edwards insisted in a news conference last week, “I have never told anyone, public or private, that Mr. Greene died in a car wreck.”

The case is still under investigation by the Department of Justice.

Louisiana Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder announced the creation of a select committee to review the handling, on all levels, of the Ronald Greene incident — including receiving testimony from various persons.

Edwards responded saying he welcomes any legislative oversight and hopes this will be a productive, nonpartisan discussion of how to continue the ongoing reforms at Louisiana State Police.