Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Home Local news Update on the 5 Police Officers Charged in Tyre Nichols’ Death
  • Local news

Update on the 5 Police Officers Charged in Tyre Nichols’ Death

    What happened with the 5 police officers accused of crimes in Tyre Nichols’ fatal beating
    Up next
    Sean 'Diddy' Combs, far left, looks on from the defense table with his attorneys, as a prospective juror, far right, answers questions posed by Judge Arun Subramanian, center, at Manhattan federal court, Monday, May 5, 2025, in New York. (Elizabeth Williams via AP)
    Judge Rebukes Lawyer for Describing Prosecutors as ‘Group of White Women’ in ‘Diddy’ Trial
    Published on 08 May 2025
    Author
    Internewscast
    Tags
    • accused,
    • beating,
    • crimes,
    • demetrius haley,
    • Fatal,
    • happened,
    • Justin smith,
    • Nichols,
    • officers,
    • Paul Hagerman,
    • Police,
    • The,
    • Tyre,
    • tyre nichols,
    • U.S. news,
    • What,
    • with
    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest

    MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A jury found three of the five former Memphis police officers not guilty on all state charges, including second-degree murder, in the case surrounding the death of Tyre Nichols in January 2023. The two other officers indicted in the incident had earlier entered guilty pleas on the state accusations.

    This acquittal follows the earlier conviction of these three officers on at least one charge in federal court, whereas the other two had already admitted guilt.

    The situation involved Nichols, a Black man aged 29, who fled from a traffic stop after being forcibly removed from his vehicle by officers, who then pepper-sprayed and tasered him. The five officers, all of whom are Black, pursued Nichols and assaulted him with punches, kicks, and a baton, struggling to subdue him as he cried for his mother near his residence. Nichols succumbed to his injuries three days afterwards, triggering widespread demonstrations and a heightened demand for police reform across the nation.

    The five officers — Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith — were part of a crime suppression team called the Scorpion Unit that was disbanded after Nichols’ death. The team targeted illegal drugs and guns and violent offenders to amass arrests, while sometimes using force against unarmed people. All of the officers were fired after the beating, charged in state court with murder, and indicted by a federal grand jury on civil rights and witness tampering charges.

    Here’s a look at each former officer’s role in the beating and status related to the court cases.

    Tadarrius Bean

    Bean tackled Nichols from behind as Nichols ran away from officers and toward his nearby home. Bean then held Nichols on the ground while other officers struck Nichols. According to footage from the scene, Bean said Nichols was “eating” the blows.

    Bean was acquitted Wednesday of state charges including second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression. He was convicted last year on a federal charge of witness tampering related to the cover-up of the beating. He was acquitted of federal civil rights charges of using excessive force and being indifferent to Nichols’ serious injuries.

    Demetrius Haley

    Haley was one of the officers who pulled Nichols out of his car and onto the ground. Haley also kicked him and said “beat that man,” according to prosecutors. Haley wrote in his response to resistance form that Nichols “ignored all directives” to get out of the car and that Nichols was “swinging his arms” and cursing at the officers. But body worn camera footage shows Nichols was immediately yanked from the vehicle by officers, while the officers are swearing and shouting and threatening to shock Nichols with a Taser.

    Haley was acquitted Wednesday of state charges including second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression. In federal court, Haley was convicted of witness tampering related to the cover-up of the beating, as well as violating Nichols’ civil rights by causing bodily injury. He was also convicted of a conspiracy to witness tamper charge. Haley was acquitted of violating Nichols’ civil rights causing death.

    Justin Smith

    Smith joined the pummeling after Nichols was caught near his home. He is accused of holding Nichols down and saying “hit him,” according to prosecutors. Smith’s body worn camera shows that he and another officer exchanged a high five as Nichols was injured on the ground afterward. Footage also shows that Smith said they hit Nichols with “so many pieces,” or punches.

    Smith was acquitted Wednesday of state charges including second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression. Smith was convicted in October in federal court of witness tampering related to the cover-up of the beating. He was acquitted of civil rights charges of using excessive force and being indifferent to Nichols’ serious injuries.

    Desmond Mills Jr.

    Mills said he tried to pepper-spray Nichols, while others held Nichols down, but Mills ended up spraying himself. After stepping away to recover, Mills then walked up to Nichols and hit his arm three times with a police baton. Mills told prosecutor Paul Hagerman that he hit Nichols with the baton because he was angry over the pepper spray.

    Mills has agreed to plead guilty to the state charges and did not stand trial. He testified as a state prosecution witness saying he regrets his failure to stop the beating, which led to Nichols’ death from blunt force trauma. He acknowledged on the stand that he had a duty to intervene to stop the beating but didn’t and that Nichols never punched or kicked any of the officers. Mills also pleaded guilty in federal court, where sentencing for all five officers is pending. He took a plea deal in which prosecutors call for up to 15 years in prison.

    Emmitt Martin

    Martin was one of the first officers in the encounter with Nichols. Defense attorneys in the state case have said Martin acted with the most violence, kicking and punching Nichols several times in the head. Martin testified in federal court that he punched Nichols at least five times while other officers held his arms. He also said he lied to his supervisor about their use of force.

    Martin has agreed to plead guilty to the state charges and did not stand trial under deals with prosecutors. He also pleaded guilty in federal court. Under Martin’s plea agreement, prosecutors will suggest a prison sentence of up to 40 years.

    Sentencing will come at a later date for the former officers. The federal witness tampering charges carry possible sentences of up to 20 years in prison. The federal civil rights charge against Haley carries up to 10 years in prison.

    The five officers, the city of Memphis and the police chief also are being sued by Nichols’ family for $550 million. A trial has been scheduled for next year.

    Late last year, the U.S. Justice Department said a 17-month investigation showed the Memphis Police Department uses excessive force and discriminates against Black people.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest
    You May Also Like
    NYC bodegas alarmed at Mamdani's plan for city-run markets
    • Local news

    NYC Bodegas Concerned Over Mamdani’s Proposal for City-Operated Markets

    () New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist with…
    • Internewscast
    • July 4, 2025
    House sends GOP's 'big, beautiful bill' to Trump’s desk in major win for Republicans
    • Local news

    House Delivers GOP’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ to Trump, Marking Major Victory for Republicans

    The “big, beautiful bill” is heading to President Trump’s desk. On Thursday…
    • Internewscast
    • July 3, 2025
    VIDEO: More than $3,000 stolen from St. Petersburg Habitat for Humanity home
    • Local news

    VIDEO: St. Petersburg Habitat for Humanity Site Hit by $3,000+ Theft

    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — Authorities are on the lookout for an…
    • Internewscast
    • July 4, 2025
    Utah lawyer sanctioned for court filing that used ChatGPT
    • Local news

    Man Sentenced to 164 Years for Kidnapping and Assaulting Teen Near Michael Jackson’s Home

    Editor’s Note: This story contains discussions of rape or sexual assault that…
    • Internewscast
    • July 3, 2025
    Neha Gupta.
    • Local news

    Oklahoma City Mother Arrested Linked to Death of Her 4-Year-Old Daughter: Authorities Report

    OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) A woman has been arrested in Oklahoma City in…
    • Internewscast
    • July 3, 2025
    San Francisco Zoo welcoming silverback gorilla Cecil
    • Local news

    San Francisco Zoo introduces new silverback gorilla, Cecil

    SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — The San Francisco Zoo & Gardens is set…
    • Internewscast
    • July 3, 2025

    Ongoing Efforts to Find Swimmer Missing from North Myrtle Beach

    Authorities in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., remained engaged in a search effort…
    • Internewscast
    • July 4, 2025
    Florida state Rep. Eskamani says she was denied entry to ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention facility
    • Local news

    Florida State Representative Eskamani Claims She Was Blocked from Entering ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Detention Center

    A newly operational detention center, informally called “Alligator Alcatraz,” is situated in…
    • Internewscast
    • July 4, 2025
    EPA places staffers who signed 'dissent' letter on leave
    • Local news

    EPA Employees on Leave After Signing Dissent Letter

    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is placing staffers who signed a letter of…
    • Internewscast
    • July 4, 2025
    How early technical decisions define AI startup outcomes
    • Local news

    The Impact of Initial Technical Choices on AI Startup Success

    TAMPA, Fla. (BLOOM) – Startups with venture backing often kick off with…
    • Internewscast
    • July 3, 2025
    100,000+ undocumented patients sought care since Gov. Abbott's executive order
    • Local news

    Over 100,000 undocumented patients have sought medical care following Gov. Abbott’s executive order

    AUSTIN (KXAN) More than 100,000 undocumented people sought medical care in Texas…
    • Internewscast
    • July 3, 2025
    Kilmar Abrego Garcia says he was beaten and subjected to psychological torture in El Salvador jail
    • Local news

    Kilmar Abrego Garcia Alleges Physical and Psychological Abuse in El Salvador Prison

    Kilmar Abrego Garcia detailed experiencing harsh beatings, intense sleep deprivation, and mental…
    • Internewscast
    • July 3, 2025
    Opinion: Trump's behind-the-scenes fears over Musk's betrayal
    • Celeb News

    Analysis: Trump’s Concerns About Musk’s Alleged Disloyalty

    Grab the popcorn — or maybe just your Tesla key fob and…
    • Internewscast
    • July 4, 2025
    Night Sofia Vergara and Tom Brady got cozy on new elite superyacht
    • News

    Sofia Vergara and Tom Brady Spark Romance on New Luxury Yacht Outing

    In case you hadn’t reached full event fatigue from Jeff Bezos and…
    • Internewscast
    • July 4, 2025
    Fort Gordon's July 4th event highlights red, white, and blue
    • Local news

    Celebrate the Stars and Stripes at Fort Gordon’s July 4th Event

    AUGUSTA, Ga () – Fort Gordon is holding their annual Independence Celebration…
    • Internewscast
    • July 4, 2025
    Jane Street barred from Indian markets in probe by SEBI
    • Asia

    SEBI Investigation Leads to Jane Street Ban in Indian Markets

    A general view of the SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India)…
    • Internewscast
    • July 4, 2025
    Internewscast Journal
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA Notice
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Guest Post
    • Support Our Cause
    Copyright 2023. All Right Reserverd.