Killing of Tyre Nichols

Killing of Tyre Nichols
Still image from pole-mounted CCTV footage
Date
Time≈Tooltip Approximation 8:34 p.m. (CST)
LocationMemphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, U.S.
Coordinates35°01′48″N 89°50′21″W / 35.03013°N 89.83903°W / 35.03013; -89.83903[1]
TypeHomicide by blunt trauma, police brutality
DeathsTyre Nichols
Accused
  • Tadarrius Bean
  • Demetrius Haley
  • Justin Smith
ConvictedDesmond Mills Jr.
Emmitt Martin III
ChargesFederal:

State:

VerdictMills, Martin:
Pleaded guilty
ConvictionsMills:
  • Deprivation of rights under color of law resulting in death
  • Conspiracy to make false statements
  • All state charges[3][4]

Martin:

  • Deprivation of rights under color of law resulting in death
  • Conspiracy to make false statements[5]

On January 7, 2023, Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old black man, was fatally injured by five black police officers in Memphis, Tennessee, and died three days later. The officers, all members of the Memphis Police Department (MPD) SCORPION[a] unit, pulled Nichols from his car before pepper spraying and tasering him. Nichols broke free and ran toward his mother's house, which was less than a mile (1.6 km) away. The officers caught up with Nichols near the house, where they punched, kicked and pepper sprayed him, and struck him with a baton. Medics on the scene failed to administer care for 16 minutes after arriving. Nichols was admitted to the hospital in critical condition.

The officers reported that they stopped Nichols for reckless driving. The MPD released four edited video clips from police body cameras and a nearby pole-mounted camera. MPD Police Chief Cerelyn J. Davis later stated that the department had reviewed camera footage and could not find any evidence of probable cause for the traffic stop.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Justice both opened investigations into the incident. The autopsy determined the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head, and the manner of death as homicide.

The five officers who assaulted Nichols were discharged from the MPD, effective January 8, 2023. They were arrested and charged on January 26 with second-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, official misconduct, and official oppression.[6] Three of the officers have pleaded not guilty to the charges. One officer, Desmond Mills Jr., pleaded guilty to federal charges of deprivation of rights and conspiracy and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors on November 2, 2023.[7] Another officer, Emmett Martin III, who initially pleaded not guilty, changed his plea to guilty on August 23, 2024.[8] The MPD has disciplined, relieved of duty, dismissed, or arrested thirteen officers regarding their conduct. Memphis Fire Services terminated three employees for their failure to evaluate or assist Nichols. After the release of the videos, widespread protests began on January 27.

The five officers involved were also charged with civil rights violations by federal authorities in connection with the killing.[9] One of them later pleaded guilty to these charges.[10] He later agreed to plead guilty to all state charges, including murder.[4] A second officer pleaded guilty in August 2024.[8]

  1. ^ Cardia, Alexander; Kao, Jason; Koettl, Christoph; Lutz, Eleanor; Singhvi, Anjali; Stein, Robin (January 28, 2023). "A Timeline of Tyre Nichols's Lethal Police Encounter". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  2. ^ "Five Former Memphis Police Officers Charged with Federal Civil Rights, Conspiracy and Obstruction Violations In Connection with the Death of Tyre Nichols". September 12, 2023.
  3. ^ "Former Memphis Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Federal Civil Rights and Conspiracy Charges in Connection with Death of Tyre Nichols". November 2, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Ex-Memphis Officer Charged in Tyre Nichols' Death Will Plead Guilty to Murder, Faces 15 Years in Prison".
  5. ^ "Officer charged in murder of Tyre Nichols pleads guilty to some federal charges". Fox 13 Memphis. August 23, 2024.
  6. ^ "5 ex-Memphis police officers are charged with murder in Tyre Nichols' death". NBC News. January 27, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  7. ^ "Former Memphis police officer pleads guilty to federal charges in Tyre Nichols' death". NBC News. November 2, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  8. ^ a b Finton, Lucas (August 23, 2024). "Second ex-Memphis police officer pleads guilty to violating Tyre Nichols' civil rights". Memphis Commercial Appeal. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  9. ^ Sainz, Adrian; Mattise, Jonathan (September 13, 2023). "5 former officers charged with federal civil rights violations in Tyre Nichols beating death". The Associated Press.
  10. ^ Daniel, Nyamekye (November 2, 2023). "'The First Domino to Fall': Former Memphis Cop Pleads Guilty to Federal Civil Rights, Conspiracy Charges In Brutal Killing of Tyre Nichols". Yahoo News.


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