5 ex-Memphis cops face federal charges for Tyre Nichols’ death.
A federal grand jury in Memphis, Tennessee, has indicted five former Memphis Police Department (MPD) detectives on charges of federal civil rights violations, conspiracy, and obstruction. These charges are all connected to the tragic death of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols during a traffic stop on January 7.
The officers’ brutal treatment of Mr. Nichols, which involved beating, pepper spraying, and shocking him with a stun gun, sparked national outrage.
“The country watched in horror as Tyre Nichols was kicked, punched, tased, and pepper sprayed, and we all heard Mr. Nichols cry out for his mother and say ’I’m just trying to go home,'” Attorney General Merrick Garland said Tuesday in the announcement of the indictments. ”Officers who violate the civil rights of those they are sworn to protect undermine public safety, which depends on the community’s trust in law enforcement. They dishonor their fellow officers who do their work with integrity every day. The Justice Department will continue to hold accountable officers who betray their oath.”
In July, the Department of Justice launched a comprehensive investigation into the City of Memphis and MPD. The investigation aims to determine whether there are systematic violations of the Constitution or federal law, particularly regarding MPD’s use of force, discriminatory policing, and procedures involving stops, searches, and arrests.
“Tyre Nichols should be alive today,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “It is tragic to see a life cut short at 29, with so many milestones unmet, so many words unsaid, so much potential unfulfilled. These federal charges reflect the Justice Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting the constitutional and civil rights of every American and preserving the integrity of the criminal justice system.
Five Officers Indicted
The former detectives—Emmitt Martin III, 31; Tadarrius Bean, 24; Demetrius Haley, 30; Desmond Mills, Jr., 33; and Justin Smith, 28—previously part of a controversial MPD SCORPION team, are accused of willfully depriving Mr. Nichols of his constitutional rights.
Count one alleges that the officers, aided and abetted by one another, assaulted Mr. Nichols and failed to intervene in the unlawful assault, resulting in his bodily injury and death.
Count two accuses the officers of neglecting Mr. Nichols’ severe medical needs, even when they were aware of them, which caused further injuries and ultimately led to his death.
Count three states that the detectives conspired to hide their unlawful use of force by omitting crucial information and providing misleading details to their supervisor and other officers. This includes making false statements in the Response to Resistance Reports and discussing the assault on Mr. Nichols.
Count four alleges that the officers obstructed justice by providing misleading information about Mr. Nichols’ arrest to MPD officers.
Convictions on counts one and two could result in life imprisonment, while counts three and four carry a maximum penalty of 20 years each.
While these federal charges are the main focus of the Justice Department’s announcement, additional charges may arise from the DOJ’s ongoing investigation into the MPD’s patterns or practices and separate charges brought by the state of Tennessee against these officers.
January Traffic Stop Goes Wrong
Earlier this year, Mr. Nichols was pulled over in Memphis for alleged reckless driving. A confrontation ensued, leading Mr. Nichols to flee, as shown in video footage released by the MPD in the days following his death. When officers apprehended him, they reportedly subjected him to a beating that ultimately resulted in his death three days later.
Since then, his family has filed a $550 million lawsuit against the city and the MPD. Renowned attorney Ben Crump, who represents the family, described the incident as an “extrajudicial killing” during a press conference in April when announcing the lawsuit.
Mr. Crump’s lawsuit accuses the city and police leadership of complicity and specifically criticizes the MPD’s SCORPION unit. This specialized unit, established in November 2021 to combat rising crime in Memphis, faced intense scrutiny following Mr. Nichols’ death and was eventually disbanded.
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