Five now-fired Memphis police officers were indicted Thursday after the group was accused of severely beating black driver Tire Nichols, who later died in custody.
Police pulled over the 29-year-old father for a traffic stop on January 7. Nichols’ family said he then fled the scene, fearing for his life, before the five officers confronted and beat him for three minutes. The Memphis Police Department identified the officers as Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmit Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith.
Bean, Haley, Martin and Mills were charged with two counts of disorderly conduct, one count of official oppression, one count of second-degree murder, one count of aggravated assault and two counts of aggravated kidnapping, according to Shelby records. County court.
Smith was charged with four counts of official misconduct, two counts of official oppression, two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault and four counts of aggravated kidnapping.
All five officers are being held at the Shelby County Jail.
Nichols’ family and attorneys had a chance to see the body camera footage before it was released to the public. According to family attorney Antonio Romanucci, the video showed officers using pepper spray, a stun gun and restraint tactics on Nichols, who was eventually taken to the hospital. He died on January 10.
Earlier this month, family and activists posted a photo of Nichols in a hospital bed, bandaged and swollen, with a discolored face. The photo was displayed at several rallies across the city as the family and protesters demanded justice for Nichols.
Nichols “suffered extensive bleeding from a severe beating,” family attorney Benjamin Crump said Tuesday after an independent autopsy commissioned by the family released its preliminary findings. Local authorities have not yet issued an autopsy report.
The Memphis Police Department fired all five officers after determining they “violated multiple department policies, including excessive use of force, duty to respond and duty to render assistance.”
Nichols was a FedEx worker in the Memphis area who enjoyed skateboarding and photography. Family attorneys said that in some of Nichols’ last moments of consciousness, he called his mother and expressed his desire to go home.
I’m a passionate and motivated journalist with a focus on world news. My experience spans across various media outlets, including Buna Times where I serve as an author. Over the years, I have become well-versed in researching and reporting on global topics, ranging from international politics to current events.