A vivid, cinematic scene featuring a somber, reflective young Black man, Karon Hylton-Brown, with medium brown skin, wearing a light blue moped helmet that he should have been using, staring out into the distance with a pensive expression. The background shows a city street at dusk, with soft ambient streetlights casting a warm glow over the scene, capturing the tension and the emotional weight of the moment. Include hints of protest signs in the blurred background that read “Justice for Karon,” symbolizing the community's outrage while maintaining focus on Karon's emotional state. The atmosphere evokes a sense of introspection and urgency, emphasizing the themes of police accountability and racial justice.
The pardoning of two police officers by Trump convicted in Karon Hylton Browns death sparks outrage over racial justice and police accountability issues Image generated by DALL E

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Controversial Pardons Raise Concerns Over Police Accountability and Justice

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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KEY TAKEAWAYS
Two MPD officers were convicted for their involvement in Karon Hylton-Brown’s death.
President Trump granted pardons to the convicted officers, sparking public outrage.
The pardons were viewed by many as a demonstration of systemic racism.
The officers were found guilty of murder, conspiracy to obstruct, and obstruction of justice.
Protests erupted following Hylton-Brown’s death, highlighting issues of police brutality.
The case emphasizes the ongoing struggle for police accountability in America.

The Controversial Pardons: A Setback for Police Accountability

On October 23, 2020, a routine traffic stop turned tragic, igniting protests and sparking debates on police accountability. Karon Hylton-Brown, a 20-year-old Black man, was spotted by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers Terence Sutton Jr. and Andrew Zabavsky, riding a moped on a sidewalk without a helmet. The officers decided to pursue him when he failed to stop, resulting in a high-speed chase across more than 10 blocks. The chase ended in a fatal crash when another driver collided with Hylton-Brown’s moped. He succumbed to his injuries two days later. (Atlanta Black Star; WJLA)

Fatal Police Chase Origins (2017-2022)

Traffic Stop/Non-violent Offense (82%)
Violent Crime Suspects (15%)
Other (3%)
The vast majority of fatal police chases began as non-violent incidents. Data from DC Justice Lab

The Aftermath: Cover-Up and Convictions

After the incident, prosecutors accused the officers of attempting a cover-up. They allegedly turned off body cameras, tampered with the scene, and misled their commanding officers about the incident. These actions painted a disturbing picture of police misconduct and obstruction of justice. A federal jury in 2022 found both officers guilty in connection with Hylton-Brown’s death. Sutton was convicted of second-degree murder, conspiracy to obstruct, and obstruction of justice, receiving a sentence of more than five years. Zabavsky faced charges of conspiracy to obstruct and obstruction of justice and got four years in prison. (Atlanta Black Star)

Police Chase Fatalities by Victim Type (2017-2022)

Drivers/Suspects

45%

Passengers

27%

Bystanders

27%
This visualization shows the distribution of fatalities in police pursuits, highlighting that over half of those killed were not the pursued suspects. Data from DC Justice Lab

Trump’s Controversial Pardons

In January 2025, President Donald Trump issued “full and unconditional” pardons to both officers, sparking outrage from Hylton-Brown’s family and community members, who saw the pardons as an act of racism. The D.C. Police Union welcomed the pardons, claiming Officer Sutton had been “wrongly charged by corrupt prosecutors for doing his job.” They argued these pardons corrected an “incredible wrong” that had harmed Sutton and weakened the department’s ability to function. (Atlanta Black Star)

Top Causes of Police Pursuits in California (2020)

Speeding
20.7%
Stolen Vehicles
13.6%
Registration Violations
8.8%
Traffic Signal Violations
7.5%
Most police pursuits are initiated for non-violent offenses, with speeding being the most common cause. Data from DC Justice Lab

The pardons were part of a larger pattern, as President Trump pardoned about 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. This trend further fueled public discontent and echoed the protests that occurred after Hylton-Brown’s death. (The Tribune)

Community Reaction and Broader Implications

The community responded with intense public protests, similar to those following Hylton-Brown’s death. These demonstrations paralleled national and global movements against police brutality and racial injustice. The incident, along with the pardons, reminds us of the continuous battle for police accountability and racial justice. It highlights persistent issues within the criminal justice system and challenges communities of color face in their pursuit of justice.

Understanding Police Accountability

Police accountability means holding officers and departments responsible for their actions. It ensures they uphold the law and treat everyone fairly. When officers fail to meet these standards, the public needs ways to report and address such behavior (Police Accountability in the USA: Gaining Traction or Spinning Wheels).

This accountability is crucial for building trust between law enforcement and the community. It affects how officers perform and how they are perceived by the people they serve. Strong accountability measures help maintain order and respect within society (Police Accountability in the USA: Gaining Traction or Spinning Wheels).

The Role of Obstruction and Cover-Ups

Obstruction of justice occurs when someone interferes with legal processes. In policing, this can include hiding evidence, influencing witnesses, or misleading authorities. Such actions not only break the law but also hinder the pursuit of justice (Obstruction of Justice | Wex | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute).

Similarly, cover-ups involve concealing wrongdoing to avoid consequences. Officers who engage in cover-ups damage the integrity of law enforcement. These actions erode public trust and undermine accountability (Cover-Up – Justice versus Conscience).

Defining Systemic Racism

Systemic Racism Icon

Systemic Racism: Institutional policies and practices that result in unequal outcomes for different racial groups. Unlike personal bias, it exists within societal systems. Recognizing systemic racism is key to addressing its effects on policing and justice.

Systemic Racism in the Justice System

Systemic racism refers to institutional practices that disadvantage certain racial groups. In law enforcement, this means policies and decisions that result in unequal treatment of communities of color. This issue has deep historical roots and continues to affect policing today (An Unjust Burden – Vera Institute).

Because of systemic racism, Black individuals face higher rates of arrest and harsher sentencing than white individuals. Bias at all stages of the justice process contributes to this disparity. Addressing systemic racism requires significant changes in policies and practices (An Unjust Burden – Vera Institute).

The Impact of Pardons on Public Trust

Pardoning convicted officers can weaken public confidence in the justice system. It may appear that law enforcement is above the law, which discourages accountability efforts. This action can deepen the divide between communities and police (Police Accountability in the USA: Gaining Traction or Spinning Wheels).

Such pardons can also hinder reforms in law enforcement. Communities may feel their calls for justice are ignored when convictions are overturned. This affects the broader movement for racial equality and justice (An Unjust Burden – Vera Institute).

Moving Forward: Change and Community Action

Addressing these issues requires practical steps. Improving police training and protocols is vital to prevent future tragedies. Officers need clear guidelines on pursuits and traffic stops to ensure everyone’s safety (The Role and Responsibilities of the Police).

Furthermore, training should focus on de-escalation and cultural awareness. This can reduce misconduct and build trust between police and communities. Regular reviews of policies help align practices with public expectations (Police Accountability in the USA: Gaining Traction or Spinning Wheels).

Public protests following incidents like Hylton-Brown’s death show the power of community action. By raising their voices, people can demand change and influence policy. Collective efforts are essential for advancing justice and equality (An Unjust Burden – Vera Institute).

Challenging the System: Beyond Reform

Pardoning Officers Sutton and Zabavsky underscores not merely a failure of justice. It shows how the system perpetuates racial inequalities and undermines justice. This situation highlights the need for more than simple reform. We should question the power structures that enable these pardons, recognize racial biases in policing, and tackle norms that target minorities unfairly.

FAQ

Q: What incident led to the controversy surrounding the pardons?
A: The controversy stems from the fatal police chase involving Karon Hylton-Brown, a 20-year-old Black man, who died following a high-speed chase initiated by officers for riding a moped on a sidewalk without a helmet.

Q: What actions led to the convictions of the officers involved?
A: The officers were convicted for their roles in Hylton-Brown’s death, with accusations of turning off body cameras, tampering with the crime scene, and misleading superiors about the incident.

Q: What were the sentences of the convicted officers?
A: Officer Terence Sutton was sentenced to over five years for second-degree murder and obstruction of justice, while Officer Andrew Zabavsky received four years for conspiracy and obstruction.

Q: What prompted the pardons issued by President Trump?
A: President Trump issued “full and unconditional” pardons to the officers in January 2025, which he claimed were to correct what he called a wrongful conviction, sparking outrage from Hylton-Brown’s family and community members.

Q: How did the community react to the pardons?
A: The community reacted with intense public outcry, drawing parallels to protests against police brutality and highlighting ongoing struggles for racial justice and police accountability.

Q: What do the pardons represent in the broader context of the justice system?
A: The pardons symbolize systemic failures perpetuating racial inequities and reflect ongoing challenges in achieving true accountability within law enforcement.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.