Ex-MPD officers found not guilty of murdering Tyre Nichols in state trial
Share and Follow


Nichols was beaten Jan. 7, 2023, after a traffic stop that was caught on video, and he died three days later.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — This story will be updated.

In a unanimous decision, the jury in the state trial of three former Memphis Police Department officers charged with the death of Tyre Nichols found the defendants not guilty on all counts.

Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith all faced charges of murder in the second degree, aggravated assault, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, two counts of official misconduct and official oppression. All three pleaded not guilty to their charges during the first day of the trial. 

They were found not guilty on all charges after jurors deliberated for about nine hours.

Nichols was beaten Jan. 7, 2023, after a traffic stop that was caught on video, and he died three days later. Nichols died of blows to his head, and the manner of death was homicide, an autopsy report released May 4, 2023 showed.

Two other former officers, Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills, pleaded guilty to federal charges and testified at the federal trial in 2024. They also pleaded guilty to state charges, but Martin’s state plea deal has not been set in stone like Mills.

The state trial began April 28, 2025. With attorneys previously predicting the case to last around three weeks, Shelby County prosecutors surprised some when they rested their case during day three of the state trial after calling just five witnesses.

More than 20 witnesses were called in total over the course of a week and a half — including Nichols’ mother, Mills and another MPD officer who was fired but not charged for the incident. Martin did not testify. You can read ABC24’s coverage of the trial here.

In the federal trial, Bean, Smith and Haley were all found guilty of obstruction. Bean and Smith were acquitted for three other counts. 

Haley was found guilty of obstruction, conspiracy to commit obstruction and lesser charges of the first two counts, deprivation of civil rights and deliberate indifference resulting in serious bodily injury.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Lays introduces new chip flavor chosen from 70k submissions to contest with $1 million prize

“Lays Unveils New Chip Flavor Selected from 70,000 Entries in Contest Offering $1 Million Reward”

She cashed in her chips. Lay’s introduced a new chip flavor chosen…
‘I still want to serve’: Transgender servicemembers face uncertain future under Trump admin

“Transgender Servicemembers’ Future Uncertain Amid Trump Administration”

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site…
Trump sparks concerns over appearance of his hands again at G7 Summit

Trump’s hands become center of attention once again at G7 Summit

US president Donald Trump has sparked concerns for his health after observers…
Ryanair jet from UK crashes into barrier on runway at Greek airport

Ryanair plane from UK collides with barrier on runway at Greek airport

A Ryanair flight from London crashed into a barrier on the runway…
Donald Trump stuns soccer players with dig at trans athletes

Donald Trump surprises footballers with criticism for transgender sports participants.

During a visit to the Oval Office, President Donald Trump caught the…
Suspect arrested in horrific NYC rush-hour subway stabbing that injured 2

Suspect arrested in horrific NYC rush-hour subway stabbing that injured 2

NYC subway stabbing leaves 2 injured Two men were stabbed in the…
What's closed in Jacksonville for Juneteenth?

What is shut down in Jacksonville on Juneteenth?

Juneteenth will be celebrated Thursday. Here’s what’s closed in Duval County. JACKSONVILLE,…
Trump signs order extending TikTok ban deadline

Trump extends deadline for TikTok ban with a signed order

President Trump signed an executive order Thursday extending the deadline for TikTok’s…