Five former Memphis police officers Friday pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and other charges related to the beating last month of Tyree Nichols, an African-American man whose death three days after his arrest sparked public outcry. outrage across the country and renewed calls for the law. reform of the executive bodies.
In a video filmed by police themselves on January 7, they kicked Nichols and hit him with a baton on the head, pepper sprayed him and used a stun gun on him . The case of Nichols’ death has reignited a national debate about police brutality and race relations, even though all five defendants are also black.
After being charged with second degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, misconduct, harassment by an official, they were released on bail pending their next hearing in Shelby County Criminal Court. in Memphis.
The defendants – Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmit Martin, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith – were fired from the force and the Scorpion Special Unit they served in was disbanded.
Shelby County Judge James Jones has set May 1 as the date for the next hearing for the ex-cops, who each face a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison if convicted of murder.
Another police officer, white, was also fired, as were three Memphis Fire Department emergency medical technicians who arrived at the scene after Nichols was beaten. In addition to them, two Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies who also arrived on the scene were suspended for five days without pay.
Nichols – the 29-year-old father, a photographer-trained skateboarder – first tried to flee when patrol officers stopped his car on the road and literally dragged him out of the car. He tried to run away, but the police caught him, after which he was severely beaten, which resulted in the death of the arrested person.
Police on video said Nichols made a dangerous turn while driving, and one said the deceased allegedly tried to draw a gun during the confrontation. The veracity of these facts has yet to be established in court.
