Police Officers Sentenced to Prison for Deadly Chase and Cover-Up in Washington D.C.

Two police officers were sentenced to several years in prison for their roles in a deadly chase of a man on a moped and subsequent cover-up, a case that sparked protests in the nation’s capital. Metropolitan Police Department officer Terence Sutton, 40, received a sentence of five years and six months for a murder conviction in the death of 20-year-old Karon Hylton-Brown. Andrew Zabavsky, a former MPD lieutenant who supervised Sutton, was sentenced to four years for conspiring to hide the reckless pursuit.

The sentencing came after a three-day hearing, where prosecutors had recommended longer prison terms for both officers. U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman allowed them to remain free pending their appeals. The case highlighted the importance of public trust in law enforcement, with the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia emphasizing the impact of such crimes on the community.

During the trial, it was revealed that the chase of Hylton-Brown lasted nearly three minutes, spanning 10 city blocks and violating police pursuit policies. The officers involved in the chase failed to assess the risks to public safety and engaged in a cover-up following the fatal crash. The driver who struck Hylton-Brown testified that he would have stopped if he had seen police lights or heard a siren.

The case drew attention from current and former law enforcement officers, with more than 40 submitting letters in support of Sutton. However, the victim’s family expressed their grief and loss, emphasizing the impact of the officers’ actions on their lives. The sentencing of the officers serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency in law enforcement to maintain public trust and safety.