He must have resisted arrest so they had no choice but to beat him to death.
Resisting arrest was punishable as a misdemeanor in the courts when I was a prosecutor.
I guess the system was too much trouble for the COPs so now the death penalty is imposed roadside.
If five thugs killed a cop they would be sentenced to death or LWOP.
But here these five will be given a paid vacation while an “investigation” takes place.