Topline
Three former Memphis police officers were found not guilty of second-degree murder, aggravated assault and other charges related to the 2023 death of Tyre Nichols—though they were convicted on some related charges in federal court last year.
Former Memphis Police Department officers Tadarrius Bean, left, and Justin Smith hug after they were … More
Associated PressKey Facts
A jury returned a not guilty verdict for the three former officers—Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith—after about eight and a half hours of deliberations, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported Wednesday.
The officers were found not guilty of second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression.
Even though the men were found not guilty on the state charges Wednesday, they were convicted in federal court in October and are awaiting their sentencing.
In January 2023, Nichols was pulled over by officers for a routine traffic stop—he ran away after he was forced to the ground, and officers caught up to him and beat him; Nichols died three days later of excessive blood loss.
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Chief Critic
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said outside of the courtroom Wednesday his team was “obviously disappointed,” adding: “I am convinced to this day that we had compelling evidence that showed that there was proof for every element of every one of the offenses that we charged. The jury took a different view. That is, of course, their right,” NBC News reported.
Big Number
Up to 20. That’s how many years two of the three officers face in federal prison for being convicted of witness tampering, and Haley, who was convicted on more charges, could face life in prison, according to the Commercial Appeal. Their sentencing is expected later this year.
Key Background
The three officers, along with two others, were federally indicted in September 2023 on four counts related to Nichols’ death and indicted on state charges months earlier after an investigation by the FBI found they were “directly responsible” for causing the injuries that led to Nichols’ death. Bodycam footage showed that during the confrontation, the officers kicked, beat and punched Nichols, who yelled that he “didn’t do anything.” The officers who attacked Nichols were part of a controversial, since-disbanded “SCORPION” unit, which stood for Street Crimes Operation to Restore Peace in Our Neighborhoods. The unit was created to fight violent crime and focus on weapons, gangs, auto thefts and more. Two of the officers who attacked Nichols pleaded guilty to the federal charges and testified against the other officers. One of those officers, Desmond Mills Jr., also pleaded guilty to the state case, and it is not yet known what the other will do in state court, the Commercial Appeal reported.
Further Reading
Tyre Nichols Death: What To Know About The Now-Disbanded ‘SCORPION’ Police Unit That Pulled Him Over (Forbes)
Former Memphis Officer Pleading Guilty To Murder Charge In Death Of Tyre Nichols (Forbes)
Ex-Memphis police officers in Tyre Nichols case found not guilty by out-of-town jury (Memphis Commercial Appeal)
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