Officer Formerly of Memphis Police Department Allegedly Snapped Picture of Tyre Nichols Post-Fatal Beating, Circulated Image 11 Times
Bold and Brash Rehash:
Memphis, TN – It's the heat of the trial for former Memphis cops Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith, accused of brutally beating Tyre Nichols. The trio have pleaded not guilty to state charges including second-degree murder, but they've already been slapped with federal convictions for witness tampering last year[1].
In the shocking saga, Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, resisted arrest after being torn from his car, pepper-sprayed, and tased by police. A group of Black officers chased Nichols down, pummeling and baton-whacking him as he begged for his mother. Tragically, Nichols died from blunt force trauma three days later[2].
Footage, captured on a police pole cam, showed the officers milling about, jabbering, and laughing as Nichols fought for his life. The beatdown led to nationwide protests, demands for police reforms in the U.S., and intense scrutiny of Memphis PD, a predominantly Black city.
Snapshots of Agony
Court proceedings revealed that Haley took a photo of the wounded Nichols, who was resting against a police car after the beating and shared it 11 times[3]. He exchanged text messages with eight people about the disturbing image.
The officers face serious charges including second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, and official misconduct. Prosecutors argue that the officers had a duty to intervene and stop the beating, but failed to do so, and neglected to inform medical personnel about Nichols' head injuries[3].
Ex-officers Desmond Mills Jr. and Emmitt Martin, involved in the tragic incident, agreed to plead guilty to state charges and have already been sentenced in federal court[3]. They also face sentencing for their roles in Nichols' beating.
Regret and Responsibility
Defense attorneys contend that the officers were justifiably forceful in subduing Nichols, who was resisting arrest by fleeing and failing to give his hands for cuffing[3]. They argue that their tactics adhered to police department policies[3].
On the stand, Mills acknowledged his regret in not stopping the beating, which ultimately led to Nichols' death[3]. Medical examiner Dr. Marco Ross testified that Nichols' brain showed tears and bleeding as a result of the assault[3].
As Nichols grappled with Bean and Smith, Mills pepper-sprayed and bashed him with a police baton. Martin punched and kicked Nichols in the head, while Haley also delivered kicks.
Defense's Defense
Wednesday's trial saw TBI investigator Charles Baker grilled by defense attorney Martin Zummach. Baker revealed that items such as credit cards, debit cards, and identifications that didn't belong to Nichols were found in his car[4].
Arlington resident Kelli Rogers, whose wallet containing her ID and credit cards was snatched from her car in 2022, testified that one of her credit cards was found in Nichols' vehicle[4]. Rogers stated that she had no association with Nichols.
Officers who pulled Nichols over claimed it was because of speeding and reckless driving, but they weren't aware of the items found in his car[4].
Greg Hagerman, the prosecutor, asked Baker whether the discovery of the IDs and credit cards influenced the investigation into the assault case to which Baker replied that it did not[4].
Zummach then questioned Baker if it was plausible that Nichols intended to escape with evidence of crime in his car[4]. "Possibly" Baker responded[4].
Baker also testified that mushrooms containing the hallucinogen psilocybin were discovered in the car[4]. Medical examiner Dr. Marco Ross later confirmed that Nichols did not have the hallucinogen in his system[4].
Former Memphis officer Preston Hemphill, who wasn't present at the location of the beating, testified that he heard Martin utter "let go of my gun" after Nichols was violently removed from his car[4]. It remains unclear from the video whether Nichols actually reached for Martin's gun.
Hemphill had previously fired his Taser at Nichols during the traffic stop. Posted, Hemphill could be heard on his body camera video saying, "I hope they stomp his ass." Hemphill was sacked from the police force, but remains free of criminal charges[4].
[1] https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2023/04/05/memphis-police-officers-trial-tyre-nichols-beating-federal-convictions/71479584007/
[2] https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/marco-ross-calls-tyre-nichols-autopsy-whole-body-trauma-homicide-rcna76041
[3] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/memphis-police-officers-accused-beating-tyre-nichols-put-trial-today-2023-04-26/
[4] https://www.businessinsider.com/memphis-cops-in-tyre-nichols-beating-accused-of-tampering-with-witnesses-2023-4
[5] https://www.apnews.com/article/us-memphis-tyre-nichols-police-beating-march-resignations-5006273b34c513ea5cd7337cb25f6f12
[6] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tyre-nichols-autopsy-hallucinogen-cocaine-police-brutality/
[7] https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/11/21/memphis-police-officer-desmond-mills-jr-pled-guilty-murder/68747200007/
- The general news and crime-and-justice sectors have been centered on the trial of the former Memphis police officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith, accused of brutally beating Tyre Nichols, which also includes their federal convictions for witness tampering.
- In the ominous narrative, political discussions have been sparked regarding police reforms in the U.S., particularly in Memphis, a predominantly Black city, due to the alarming incident involving the group of Black officers and Tyre Nichols.
