Three former Memphis police officers were found guilty of charges in connection to the deadly beating of Tyre Nichols, with the jury reaching verdicts in their federal trial. Demetrius Haley, Justin Smith, and Taddarius Bean were accused of depriving Nichols of his rights through excessive force, obstructing justice, and other crimes. Haley was convicted on charges of conspiracy to witness tamper and obstruction of justice, while Bean and Smith were found guilty of obstruction of justice regarding witness tampering. Nichols’ mother expressed shock and happiness that all of the men were convicted of at least one charge.
Prosecutors accused the officers of viciously beating Nichols after a traffic stop, despite body camera footage showing Nichols posed no threat to them. The former officers were accused of laughing as Nichols lay dying and lying to cover up their actions. Two other former officers involved in the case pleaded guilty to the same charges. Nichols died in the hospital three days after the beating from blows to the head. The five officers were members of a crime suppression team called the Scorpion Unit, and were fired for violating police department policies.
During the trial, Mills testified against his former colleagues and admitted to striking Nichols with his baton multiple times. He tearfully apologized for his actions, saying he had made Nichols’ child fatherless. Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, expressed relief that the men were being held accountable, calling the trial a long journey for the family. The officers face second-degree murder charges in state court and have pleaded not guilty, though Mills and Martin are expected to change their pleas to guilty.
The defense argued that the officers were attempting to subdue a suspect who was not following their instructions, and that there was reasonable doubt for the crimes their clients were charged with. The prosecution contended that all five officers acted together and willfully aided in the assault that led to Nichols’ death. The former officers were accused of leaving Nichols to die and then covering up the incident. Nichols’ cause of death was listed as blows to the head in the autopsy report. The Scorpion Unit, of which the officers were members, was disbanded following Nichols’ death.
The verdicts in the federal trial marked a significant development in the case, with the former officers facing accountability for their actions. Nichols’ death and the subsequent trial have raised questions about police use of force and accountability for officers who violate department policies. The guilty verdicts on various charges, including obstruction of justice and involvement in the assault that led to Nichols’ death, reflect the seriousness of the misconduct by the former officers. As the case continues in state court, the community and Nichols’ family will be following closely for further updates and justice for the victim.
