WASHINGTON — In a landmark case that has stirred intense debate over police conduct and accountability, a former District of Columbia police officer has been sentenced to over five years in prison for his role in a deadly chase that ended tragically in October 2020. Terence Sutton, the officer involved, was found guilty of second-degree murder following a pursuit that resulted in the death of 20-year-old Karon Hylton-Brown.
Sutton, 40, along with his supervisor, Lt. Andrew Zabavsky, 56, was also convicted of conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice. The convictions stem from their actions surrounding the police chase, which prosecutors claimed were in violation of DC Police policies that prohibit pursuits over minor traffic infractions. The incident culminated in Hylton-Brown’s death after his moped was struck by a vehicle as he fled from police.
The sentencing took place on Thursday, with U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman imposing a 66-month prison term on Sutton and a four-year sentence on Zabavsky. Despite the severity of the charges, both officers have been granted bond pending their appeals.
This case has notably marked the first instance in which a DC police officer was convicted of murder while on duty, highlighting significant concerns regarding the use of excessive force and the potential for abuse of power within law enforcement practices.
During the trial, which lasted nearly two months, prosecutors argued that the officers not only ignored departmental guidelines but actively attempted to conceal the details of the incident. Although Sutton’s vehicle did not physically contact Hylton-Brown or his moped, it was determined that Sutton’s engagement in the high-speed chase demonstrated a “conscious disregard” for the potential of causing death or serious injury.
The jury’s verdict and the subsequent sentencing revealed a clear shock to Sutton, and prompted an emotional response from Hylton-Brown’s mother, Karen Hylton, in the courtroom. In a tumultuous scene, she was removed and later acquitted of charges that arose from an altercation with a U.S. Marshal during the trial.
Further complicating the legal proceedings, Hylton’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking over $31 billion in damages against the officers involved, the mayor of D.C., and the police department. The outcome of this lawsuit is still pending.
Defense arguments throughout the trial painted a different picture, suggesting that Hylton-Brown might have been involved with a local gang known for violent and criminal activities, which they claimed could justify the officers’ suspicion on the day of the chase. This notion was strongly contested, and Judge Friedman ultimately dismissed these claims, stating they had “no bearing on the central issue” of Sutton’s guilt.
The surrounding context of the case has broader implications, as highlighted by recent federal action against local gang members in the same neighborhood, which has been the focus of intensified police scrutiny due to ongoing violence and drug trafficking.
This case, still unfolding and subject to appeal, poses critical questions about police procedure, the adequacy of existing accountability measures, and the balance between law enforcement and community safety. As the legal battles continue, the community and the nation watch closely, awaiting further developments in a case that could set precedents for future encounters of this nature.