NBC News reported that three Memphis police officers were charged with second-degree murder in the death of Tire Nichols in a traffic stop in January 2023.
Former police officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith have been previously convicted of witness tampering but have been guilty of innocence after a federal trial in 2024, but he is also facing Tennessee assault, serious kidnapping, official misconduct, official oppression and the Tennessee state in connection with Nichols’ death. They were acquitted in all counts
Two other officials, Desmond Mills Jr. and Emmitt Martin, have pleaded guilty to state and federal charges. The two are awaiting sentencing on state and federal charges, while Bean, Haley and Smith await the federal witness's verdict to tamper with the conviction.
"The verdict today is a devastating miscarriage of justice. The world is seen as tire Nichols was beaten to death by those who swore and served. The cruel, inhuman attack was captured in the video, but responsible officials were acquitted," Nichols's family prosecutors Ben Krup and Antonio Romanucci once said in an official that it was an announcement by an official.
"The life of the tire was stolen and his family was denied the justice they deserved. We were angry and we knew we were not alone. We thank people in the Memphis community and across the country for standing on Tire's family, raising their voices, demanding responsibility, and demanding responsibility. Your unity has been on a difficult journey and we have been working hard. We have been seeking attitudes from the people. Meaningful, lasting reforms require a halt to police brutality cycle."
The five officers are members of the crime suppression team, known as the Scorpion Department, which usually targets violent criminals and drug dealers. However, on January 7, 2023, Nichols was driven by police officers and then fled the scene after a "confrontation" - Memphis police in A statement At that time - the police approached the vehicle.
Police hunted Nichols, leading to a second confrontation and his worries, during which Nichols suffered an emergency. Nichols was taken to the hospital on January 10 after being in critical condition. Video of the 2023 police attack shows police officers who issued the Nichols 71 order, many of which are impossible to execute, such as showing them his hands when they are restricted and telling him to play when he is already on the scene.
The incident sparked another wave of protests against police brutality amid protests by George Floyd, with all five officers being fired by the Memphis Police Department in the weeks after Nichols' death. Nichols' death and the Justice Department investigation were subsequently investigated - Memphis police were subsequently investigated and the Scorpion Unit was disbanded.
Crump and Romanucci added: "Let it be a cry of a rally: We must face the broken system that gives this injustice and demand that the change of our country - and the legacy of the tires - is worth it."