Shelby County D.A. Says All Individuals Involved In Tyre Nichols Confrontation Could Face Charges
Steve Mulroy, Shelby County District Attorney, said Monday that all those involved in the events leading to, during and after the beating of Tyre Nicks in Memphis, Tennessee could face additional charges.
“This includes the officer present at the initial encounter who has not — so far — been charged, Memphis Fire Department personnel, and persons who participated in preparing documentation of the incident afterward,” the district attorney’s office told ABC News.
Mulroy spoke to “CNN Newsroom Sunday,” When asked if the public could view other people charged in the case, he said he couldn’t comment on the ongoing investigation or prosecution.
“We’re going to need time to allow the investigation to go forward in further consideration of charges,” He stated. “But I will say this, nothing we did last Thursday regarding the indictments precludes us from bringing other charges later.”
At least two Memphis Fire Department employees and two Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies are being investigated, according to a report by CNN.
Memphis Fire Department spokesperson Qwanesha Ward told the news outlet two fire department employees who were part of Nichols’ “initial patient care” They were relieved “while an internal investigation is being conducted.”
Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. cited two deputies “who appeared on the scene following the physical confrontation” The incident sparked an investigation and both deputies were included in the investigation. “have been relieved of duty” pending the investigation’s outcome.
Dave Aronberg, Palm Beach County Attorney in Florida, said Mediaite that if the district attorney’s office pursues additional charges against the Memphis Fire Department or Shelby County deputies, it would “hinge” their official job duties.
“The big question from a criminal and civil standpoint is ‘did they have a legal duty to intervene?’” Aronberg spoke. “That duty exists because of the position they are in. It wouldn’t apply to a civilian bystander but would definitely apply to a police officer or EMT who stood by and did nothing.”
However, Aronber noted the charges would depend on Tennessee law and would not speculate as a Florida prosecutor on another state’s law.
Mulroy’s comments come days after announcing charges against five former Memphis Police Department officers who were arrested and charged in connection to the incident for their alleged involvement in the death of the 29-year-old male, who died earlier this month in a hospital days after the confrontation.
Those officers include Emmit Martin III, Justin Smith, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Desmond Mills for Nichols’ death.
Each officer was charged with second-degree murder and aggravated assault.
Representatives of the Memphis Police Department told ABC that authorities relieved Preston Hemphill, sixth officer, from duty as part of an ongoing investigation. The investigation revealed that Preston used his Taser during the confrontation.
Hemphill, the third officer at Nichols’ initial traffic stop, was heard on his body camera video saying twice, “I hope they stomp his a**,” ABC reported.
“As per departmental regulations Officer Hemphill activated his bodycam,” Lee Gerald, an attorney representing Hemphill said earlier in a statement made to ABC. “He was never present at the second scene. He is cooperating with officials in this investigation.”
Friday night’s police body camera footage showed the confrontation between Nichols and former officers from Memphis Police Department after Nichols was pulled over by officers. “reckless driving” January 7.
As authorities tried to capture Nichols, he fled on foot.
Three days later, Nichols passed away on January 10.
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