Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards defends actions following Ronald Greene's death in police custody

Gov. John Bel Edwards spoke out about the controversy surrounding his actions following Ronald Greene's death in police custody.

This week, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards expressed his sympathy for the family of Ronald Greene -- who died while in police custody in May 2019 -- but he also continuously defended his actions following Greene's death.

"I have never told anyone public or private that Mr. Greene died in a car wreck," Edwards said. "I have never asked, directed or otherwise caused anybody to alter, delay, change, modify whatever you want to say about the investigation."

Edwards' comments at a press conference in Baton Rouge came after a report that he was notified, within hours of Greene's death, that the 49-year-old Black man had been involved in a brutal struggle with police. Despite knowing that, the report alleges, Edwards never publicly questioned the police’s much different public story that Greene had died in a car crash.

Edwards said several times during the press conference this week that he will not make any excuses for his actions. He also said that no family should ever have to experience what the Greene family has experienced and continues to go through. "I think we have to acknowledge racism when we see it. I think we have to make sure that we call it what it is," the governor said.