Grieving Mother Confronts D.C. Mayor Over ‘Unconstitutional’ Pardons for Officers

During a budget press conference in Washington D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser was confronted by Karen Hylton, the mother of Karon Hylton-Brown, who died in 2020 following a police pursuit.

Hylton interrupted the conference to question Bowser about the recent pardons granted to Officer Terence Sutton and Lt. Andrew Zabavsky, who were involved in her son’s case.

Karen Hylton, visibly distressed, directly addressed Mayor Bowser: “Mayor Bowser, did you tell President Trump that Karon is illegal?” and queried the constitutionality of the pardons, stating, “Do you know the pardon of those officers is very much unconstitutional?”

As Metro Police officers approached to escort her out, Hylton warned, “Don’t touch me, don’t touch me. Do not put your hands on me.” Despite Bowser’s attempts to calm the situation by asking her to step outside, Hylton persisted, stressing that her previous attempts to discuss the matter had been ignored.

Bowser responded to Hylton’s inquiries only after she was being escorted out, clarifying that she had not discussed the matter with the president, stating, “No, Ms. Hylton, I have not talked to the president about your son.”

Karon Hylton-Brown died after being chased by police for allegedly riding his motorbike on a sidewalk without a helmet. The chase ended tragically when Hylton-Brown was struck by a car after emerging from an alley.

The incident led to convictions for Sutton and Zabavsky; Sutton was convicted of second-degree murder among other charges, and Zabavsky was found guilty of conspiracy and obstruction of justice.

Despite their convictions and subsequent prison sentences—five years for Sutton and four years for Zabavsky—both remained free pending appeals. This case was notable as it marked the first time a D.C. officer was convicted of murder in the line of duty.

Allegations that the officers had attempted to cover up their involvement by turning off their body cameras and misleading their superiors about the circumstances of the chase added to the gravity of the case.

Karen Hylton has been a vocal and passionate advocate for justice in her son’s case, often confronting city leaders and law enforcement officials. Her persistence highlights ongoing concerns regarding police accountability and the treatment of such cases by city authorities.