FBI orders new review of Ronald Greene autopsy

The FBI is ordering a new review of the autopsy of Ronald Greene, a Black man who died in 2019 after a car crash and confrontation with the police. 

Frank Peretti, who conducted the initial examination of Greene’s body, was told by the FBI to review the autopsy while taking into consideration video evidence showing the Louisiana State Police beating Greene before his death, The Associated Press reported Wednesday.

The extent of physical confrontation with the police was not known at the time of the autopsy, nor was it determined if Greene died from the crash or injuries from the police.

“No cause of death is carved in stone,” Peretti told the newswire. “Sometimes additional investigative materials become available years later that you didn’t have. The correct thing to do is to review it.”

The Hill has reached out to the FBI for comment.

The FBI’s order is part of a federal investigation as more evidence has come out that Greene was stunned, punched and dragged out of his car after getting into a crash during a police chase.

Greene’s death sparked national outrage after the video of the beating was released, with activists calling for charges brought against the police officers at the scene. No officers have been charged over the incident.

Records obtained by the USA Today Network showed police leaders blocked the arrest of Master Trooper Chris Hollingsworth for turning off his body camera during the violent arrest. Hollingsworth died in 2020 from a car crash.