Feb. 17, 2023 Five former Memphis police officers pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges stemming from the violent arrest and death of Tyre Nichols.
By Jessica Schladebeck Source New York Daily News (TNS) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
MEMPHIS — Five former Memphis police officers pleaded not guilty on Friday to charges stemming from the violent arrest and death of Tyre Nichols.
Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Justin Smith, Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr. each face charges of second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression. They were also fired after an internal police investigation into 29-year-old Nichols’ arrest.
The father of one was pulled over on Jan. 7 in Memphis’ Hickory Hill neighborhood on allegations of reckless driving, which authorities say they’ve since been unable to substantiate.
Nichols died at a hospital three days later.
Bean’s attorney, John Keith Perry, told reporters Friday the ex-officer was only doing his job during the deadly interaction, prompting calls and shouts from demonstrators gathered outside the courthouse in Shelby County.
“You represent a murderer, bro,” a protester shouted.
Video of the violent confrontation — comprising footage from bodycams worn by responding officers and the city’s surveillance cameras — shows Nichols being pulled from his car by officers, at least one of who was brandishing a gun at the time. They continue to shout profanities at the 29-year-old photographer while they kick, punch and shower him with pepper spray.
Nichols at one point managed to flee, but the officers, all of whom were part of the now-disbanded SCORPION crime suppression team, caught up with him and the beating continued.
The violent footage was widely condemned — including by FBI Director Christopher Wray and President Joe Biden — and sparked widespread backlash, with thousands of people taking to the streets to demand justice on Nichols’ behalf.
Addressing the court, Judge James Jones Jr. on Friday requested everyone’s “continued patience” and “continued civility,” stressing that “this case can take some time.”
“We understand that there may be some high emotions in this case, but we ask that you continue to be patient with us,” Jones said. “Everyone involved wants this case to be concluded as quickly as possible. But it’s important for you all to understand that the state of Tennessee, as well as each one of these defendants, have an absolute right to a fair trial.”
All five officers are out on bond, and their next hearing has been scheduled for May 1.
Second-degree murder in Tennessee is considered a Class A felony and is punishable by 15 to 60 years in prison.