MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The federal trial of three former officers charged with violating the civil rights of Tyre Nichols, who died after he was beaten by several Memphis police officers, was set to begin jury selection on Monday.
Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith, face charges of violating 29-year-old Nichols’ civil rights and obstructed justice through witness tampering after Nichols was pulled over Jan. 7, 2023. The incident, which was recorded on body camera video, shows officers forcibly remove Nichols from his vehicle after he was pulled over for alleged reckless driving — an allegation the police chief later said there was no evidence to prove.
Videos of the police-involved beating of Nichols sparked outrage and condemnation across the country.
The former Memphis police officers, including Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr., were fired from Memphis PD, and charged in state court with second-degree murder after Nichols died. They pleaded not guilty.
Martin and Mills each pleaded guilty in federal court.
All of the police officers involved in Nichols beating were part of a crime suppression team known as the Scorpion unit, which was shuttered after Nichols’ death.
Nichols, who was also Black, died at a hospital three days after he was punched, kicked and beaten with a baton as he yelled for his mother. Videos showed Nichols lying on the ground after he was beaten by the police officers who carried on conversations.
An autopsy report indicated Nichols the manner of death was homicide, and that Nichols suffered brain injuries and abrasions to his head and body.
More on the federal trial and investigation.
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