Tyre Nichols: 3 ex-officers convicted, 2 acquitted of charges in fatal beating

On Thursday, three former Memphis police officers were found guilty of witness tampering related to the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols in 2023. Meanwhile, two of the officers were acquitted of federal civil rights violations. This case ignited national protests and calls for significant reforms in law enforcement practices.

After approximately six hours of deliberation, jurors delivered a mixed verdict for Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith. While all three were convicted on at least one count, Bean and Smith were acquitted of civil rights violations. Haley was acquitted of causing Nichols’ death but found guilty of a lesser charge related to causing bodily injury.

The courtroom remained silent as the verdicts were announced. Following the verdict, the judge ordered the officers into custody but scheduled a hearing for Monday to discuss the possibility of their release pending sentencing. The witness tampering charges could result in sentences of up to 20 years in prison.

Rodney Wells, Nichols’ stepfather, expressed his relief outside the courtroom, stating, “A win is a win. They’re all going to jail.”

Five officers faced charges in connection with Nichols’ death, but two had already pleaded guilty and testified against their former colleagues, undermining any defense that relied on their solidarity. Throughout the trial, jurors viewed graphic police video footage that depicted the officers violently assaulting Nichols just steps away from his home, as he pleaded for his mother.

Prosecutors asserted that Nichols was brutally beaten for fleeing a traffic stop, a practice they characterized as a “street tax” among officers. They accused the officers of lying to their supervisor, medical personnel, and in their reports regarding the level of force used.

Nichols, a Black man, attempted to flee the traffic stop despite being subjected to pepper spray and a Taser. The five officers involved, who were subsequently fired, are also Black.

Emotional testimony came from Desmond Mills, one of the officers who accepted a plea deal that could result in a 15-year prison sentence. He tearfully expressed remorse, saying he regretted not intervening during the beating, which left Nichols’ young son without a father. Mills admitted to participating in a cover-up, hoping that Nichols would survive and that the incident would eventually be forgotten.

Nichols succumbed to his injuries on January 10, 2023, three days after the beating. He left behind a 7-year-old son.

Emmitt Martin, the other officer who entered a plea agreement, described Nichols as “helpless” during the assault and indicated that the officers felt secure in their silence regarding the incident.

Defense attorneys raised questions about the officers’ training and pointed out Martin’s admissions of his role as a principal aggressor in the beating.

Video evidence showed the officers standing by as Nichols struggled with his injuries. An autopsy revealed that he died from severe head trauma, with evidence of brain injuries and multiple cuts and bruises.

In addition to federal charges, the five officers also face second-degree murder charges in state court, where they have pleaded not guilty. However, Mills and Martin are anticipated to change their pleas. A trial date for the state charges has yet to be established.