Former Memphis officers to face second trial in beating death of Tyre Nichols
Share and Follow


MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Three former Tennessee police officers will face an out-of-town jury when their trial in state court starts Monday on second-degree murder charges in the beating death of Tyre Nichols after a 2023 traffic stop in Memphis.

Opening statements are expected to begin in the trial of former Memphis Police Department officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith, who have pleaded not guilty and already face the prospect of years behind bars after they were convicted of federal charges last year.

The beating of Nichols, a Black man, was caught on police video and led to national protests, raised the volume on calls for police reforms in the U.S. and directed intense scrutiny toward the police force in Memphis, a majority-Black city.

The jury for the state trial was chosen in Hamilton County, which includes Chattanooga, after Judge James Jones Jr. ordered the case be heard from people outside of Shelby County, which includes Memphis. Defense lawyers for the officers had argued intense publicity made seating a fair jury difficult.

The officers are charged with second degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression.

Two other officers, Emmitt Martin and Desmond Mills Jr., also have been charged but will not stand trial with their former colleagues. Martin and Mills are expected to change their not guilty pleas in state court, according to lawyers involved in the case. Sentencings for all five officers in the federal case is expected after the state trial.

Police video showed officers pepper-spraying Nichols, 29, and hitting him with a Taser before he ran away from the traffic stop on Jan. 7, 2023. The five officers, who all are Black, chased down Nichols and kicked, punched and hit him with a police baton just steps from his home as he called out for his mother. The video showed the officers milling about, talking and laughing as Nichols struggled.

Nichols died three days after the beating. The five officers were fired, charged in state court and indicted by a federal grand jury on civil rights and witness tampering charges.

Martin and Mills pleaded guilty to the federal charges under deals with prosecutors. The other three officers were convicted in October of witness tampering related to the cover-up of the beating. Bean and Smith were acquitted of civil rights charges of using excessive force and being indifferent to Nichols’ serious injuries.

Haley was acquitted of violating Nichols’ civil rights causing death, but he was convicted of two lesser charges of violating his civil rights causing bodily injury.

In December, the U.S. Justice Department said a 17-month investigation showed the Memphis Police Department uses excessive force and discriminates against Black people.

The department is more than 50% Black and Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis is Black.

The five officers were part of a crime suppression team called the Scorpion Unit that since has been disbanded. The team targeted drugs, illegal guns and violent offenders with the goal of amassing arrests, while sometimes using force against unarmed people.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Starke double shooting leaves ex-husband and wife dead, sheriff confirms

Tragic Double Shooting in Starke: Ex-Spouses Found Dead, Confirms Sheriff

In Bradford County, Florida, a tragic domestic dispute resulted in the deaths…
FBI raid in Georgia highlights Trump's 2020 election obsession and hints at possible future actions

FBI Georgia Raid Uncovers Trump’s 2020 Election Focus, Signals Potential Future Moves

DENVER — Despite losing the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump has spent…
Where is Joy Behar This Week? ‘The View’ Co-Host Missing For The Fourth Day In A Row

Joy Behar’s Unexpected Absence: ‘The View’ Co-Host Misses Fourth Consecutive Day, Fans Speculate Reasons

Joy Behar was noticeably absent from today’s episode of The View. The…
What is logorrhea - as Trump accused of suffering the speech issue

Logorrhea Explained: Understanding the Speech Disorder Trump is Alleged to Have

Prominent psychologists are raising concerns that President Trump may be exhibiting early…
Tim Walz says political career is OVER after Minnesota fraud fallout

Minnesota’s Tim Walz Announces End of Political Journey Amid Fraud Controversy

In a candid revelation, Tim Walz announced the conclusion of his political…
Nedas Revuckas, suspect in killing of pregnant woman Eliza Morales in Downers Grove, critically injured in custody; funeral held

Nedas Revuckas, Suspect in the Fatal Incident Involving Pregnant Woman Eliza Morales in Downers Grove, Gravely Injured While in Custody; Memorial Service Conducted

In a shocking turn of events, Nedas Revuckas, who stands accused of…
WLS-TV, League of Woman Voters of Illinois and Chicago, Univision Chicago broadcasts Democratic U.S. Senate Primary Forum

WLS-TV and Univision Chicago Partner with League of Women Voters for Exclusive Democratic U.S. Senate Primary Forum Broadcast

On Thursday, January 29, ABC7 Chicago hosted an engaging Democratic U.S. Senate…
Kristi Noem responds to calls for resignation as Trump carves new path

Kristi Noem Addresses Resignation Demands Amid Trump’s Strategic Shift

Kristi Noem has addressed demands for her resignation, attributing the pressure to…