U.S. News
Fired Memphis cops charged with murder in Tyre Nichols’ death [Video]
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Five Memphis police officers who were fired after being involved in the brutal beating of Tyre Nichols have been charged with murder.
- Nichols died from injuries he sustained three days after a violent encounter following a traffic stop.
- Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David Rausch said he saw the video and found it “absolutely appalling,” “wrong”, and “criminal.”
Five fired Memphis police officers were charged with second-degree murder in the death of Tyre Nichols, Tennessee authorities announced Thursday. Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, died three days after a violent arrest by police on January 7, 2023.
“This was wrong. This was criminal,” Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David Rausch said during a press conference announcing the charges.
Former officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills, Jr., Emmitt Martin III and Justin Smith were indicted by a grand jury against charges of second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression, Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said.
Mulroy said the fired officers “are all responsible” though each played different roles in Nichols’ death.
On Friday, video footage of Nichols’s arrest would be released. Nichols’ family has already seen the footage but has not yet been released to the public.
Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, who represents Nichols’ family, said police video the family viewed revealed that Nichols was shocked, pepper-sprayed, and restrained after he was pulled over for a traffic stop near his home.
Rausch described the video as “absolutely appalling.”
“Let me be clear: What happened here does not at all reflect proper policing,” he said.
Memphis Police Director Cerelyn “CJ” Davis made a plea to residents of the city to protest peacefully when the video of the arrest is released. She has called the fired officers’ actions that night “heinous, reckless and inhumane.”
“This is not just a professional failing. This is a failing of basic humanity toward another individual,” Davis said in a video statement that was released late Wednesday on social media.
Last week, the five officers found to be “directly responsible for the physical abuse of Mr. Nichols” were fired. Davis added other officers are still being investigated for violating department policy. All the five officers involved in the arrest are Black.
Nichols’ stepfather, Rodney Wells, who earlier this week called for any protests that happen when the video is released to remain peaceful, also said he is “ecstatic” that authorities have moved quickly in the case.
Nichols was returning home from a suburban park, where he had taken photos of the sunset. The legal team said officers beat Nichols for three minutes in a “savage” encounter reminiscent of the infamous 1991 police beating of Los Angeles motorist Rodney King.
Source: Reuters
Ron C
January 28, 2023 at 6:43 pm
Why are police departments not wanting to clean out the bad apples in their departments, they wait until the thug cops injury or kill a citizen until they move against the errant officers , they all know who they are!
Me
January 28, 2023 at 7:17 pm
It’s called COMPLY and this kind of thing doesn’t happen. Do you see this kind of public outcry when it’s a WHITE MF’er? The answer is a resounding NO. Grow up
Don
January 29, 2023 at 8:40 am
I agree. Had the punk cooperated there would have been no incident. This is just another example of a drugged up punk with poor parenting. Justice was served.
roger champlin
January 29, 2023 at 12:01 pm
Thats true they might make it thru the hiring procedures but their true self will show up fast and should be disqualified and discharged but the crooked unions will protect them
John W.
January 28, 2023 at 6:48 pm
Had any of these thug officers been white, Memphis and several other cities would be burning right now.
But since they are black, it’s no big deal to the other blacks. Is it only bad when a white police officer kills a black even if it’s purely in self defense?
Ray
January 28, 2023 at 7:06 pm
Sure sounds like it huh?That Was Very Bad!Whoever it Is,White,Black,Mexican,Asian,Hispanics, Indians, Does Not Matter What Race,It Is BAd and UNHUMAN “To Do What They Did To That Poor Man!🤔😠😡😡👎👎
Me
January 28, 2023 at 7:19 pm
COMPLY and this doesn’t happen. Gee whiz🤦🏼🤦🏼🤦🏼🤦🏼🤦🏼
Don
January 29, 2023 at 8:42 am
Exactly. Act like an adult and nothing would’ve happened. The indoctrinated punk trash needs to grow up.
Me
January 28, 2023 at 7:18 pm
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Marcia Johnson
February 1, 2023 at 9:57 pm
The young man was not on drugs, and he did comply. There is no justice when 5 men beat one man to death. Five men could have hand cuffed the young man and brought him in to be arrested. In America we are innocent until proven guilty. It is a big deal when any life is taken. It does not matter what race the officers are. There are good and bad people in every race. They were wrong for what they did. Where Is the humanity in the world.
Betty
January 28, 2023 at 7:27 pm
May these police officers repent and seek forgiveness. Their fate is now in the hands of a holy God who is waiting for their confessions. Even though they showed no mercy, His mercy endures forever. ‘😥😔
Leslie
January 28, 2023 at 8:44 pm
View the future!! Everyone needs to read the book written by Micheal Connelly “THE RAG”….
AMERICA NEEDS YOUR HELP NOW! SAVE OUR CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC…. SAVE OUR RIGHTS
Sean Richman
January 28, 2023 at 9:36 pm
We don’t know everything that happened during this arrest,leave it freaking alone until we do.This guy was a criminal,PERIOD.
Michael Goodson
January 29, 2023 at 8:14 am
9th district is heavily Democratic. I blame the leaders for poor training of thier officers. These men should have been reprimanded a long time ago. They represent 1% of law enforcement that put the 99% in danger.
Don
January 29, 2023 at 8:43 am
And I blame the drugged up punk and his parents.
Patricia Ann Moody
January 29, 2023 at 9:46 am
I have yet to see, Black officers, beat up. a “WHITE person! This is Racistism! The press has a “GOOD TIME”, on this! Or, a Black Cop, killing & beating a Black person! Not only that, but the same penalty’s should apply to Demonic Humans , ALL RACES, killing & beating PETS & Animals, most killers can’t be found, BS, they are NOT found, because the police put NO effort into finding these Criminals, & heavily PROSECUTING them, this includes, DEADLY PET OWNERS!!, some pet owners leave there pets, with no food or Water! EVEN Animal Shelters, are just “ DEATH Houses! There’s much to be done , to keep our Citizens Safe including Animals, who are getting the “WORSE Astrosities & STARVATION, this CRAP, MUST END!!!!!!’
Marcia Johnson
February 1, 2023 at 9:46 pm
The young man was not on drugs, and he did comply. There is no justice when 5 men beat one man to death. Five men could have hand cuffed the young man and brought him in to be arrested. In America we are innocent until proven guilty.