Trump pardons former DC police officers convicted in deadly chase
President Donald Trump has granted pardons to two former Washington, D.C., police officers who were convicted in the death of a man riding a moped. The White House announced on Wednesday that former Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Lt. Andrew Zabavsky, 56, and former MPD officer Terence Sutton Jr., 40, have received full and unconditional pardons.
Zabavsky and Sutton were convicted of conspiracy and obstruction of justice in the 2020 death of Karon Hylton-Brown. Hylton-Brown, 20, was riding a moped without a helmet on a sidewalk when Sutton attempted to pull him over in an unmarked car. A high-speed chase ensued, reaching speeds of more than double the residential speed limit, ultimately resulting in Hylton-Brown being struck by a vehicle in an alley. He suffered severe head trauma and passed away two days later.
The pursuit violated the Metropolitan Police Department’s policy prohibiting chases for minor traffic offenses. Prosecutors alleged that Zabavsky and Sutton conspired to hide the events leading to Hylton-Brown’s death, including failing to report the seriousness of his injuries and deactivating their body cameras after the collision.
In a statement, the DC Police Union, working with the Trump administration to secure the pardons, claimed that the officers were wrongly convicted and maliciously prosecuted. The union described Zabavsky and Sutton as men of integrity and dedication who were targeted by corrupt prosecutors.
Sutton was sentenced to 66 months in prison, while Zabavsky received a 48-month prison term for their roles in Hylton-Brown’s death. Despite their convictions, Trump defended the officers during a press conference, stating that they were arrested for doing their job and going after a criminal.
The pardons come amid ongoing scrutiny of law enforcement practices and accountability. The case of Hylton-Brown’s death highlights the challenges faced by police officers in balancing public safety and adherence to departmental policies. Trump’s decision to pardon the officers has sparked debate and raised questions about the justice system’s handling of police misconduct cases.
