Memphis Police officers charged with Tyre Nichols’ death. From left to right: Justin Smith, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills, Demetrius Haley, and Tadarrius Bean. Source : Memphis Police
5 ex Memphis police officers have been charged over the death of Tyre Nichols on second-degree murder charges.
Tyre Nichols, 29, died in hospital early January from injuries he sustained during a traffic stop initiated by the 5 officers.
The altercation was filmed on the officers’ body cameras, which will be released over the weekend (Australian time).
Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith were fired from the Memphis Police Department after the traffic stop, as police Chief C.J. Davis said department policies were violated in the incident that lead to Mr Nichols’ death.
They were charged with second-degree murder, two counts of official misconduct, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, one count of official oppression, and one count of aggravated assault.
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said the charges were justly laid on the 5 officers.
“While each of the five individuals played a different role in the incident, the actions of all of them resulted in the death of Tyre Nichols and they are all responsible.” Mr Mulroy said.
“[Second-degree murder] is a knowing killing.” He said.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation director David Rausch said the video showed the “sickening” altercation between Mr Nichols and the officers.
“Simply put: This shouldn’t have happened.” Mr Rausch said.
“I’ve been policing for more than 30 years, I’ve devoted my life to this profession and I’m aggrieved.
“Frankly, I’m shocked.
“I’m sickened by what I saw.” He said.
Nichols family attorneys Benjamin Crump and Antonio Romanucci released a statement welcoming the charges, but also calling for systemic change in policing.
“This young man lost his life in a particularly disgusting manner that points to the desperate need for change and reform to ensure this violence stops occurring during low-threat procedures, like in this case, a traffic stop.” Mr Crump and Mr Romanucci said.
“This tragedy meets the absolute definition of a needless and unnecessary death.” They said.
The death of Mr Nichols caused widespread outrage amongst American people due to it being another death of a Black person while interacting with law enforcement.
President Joe Biden released a statement addressing the incident where he called for change in law enforcement.
“Public trust is the foundation of public safety and there are still too many places in America today where the bonds of trust are frayed or broken.” President Biden said.
“Tyre’s death is a painful reminder that we must do more to ensure that our criminal justice system lives up to the promise of fair and impartial justice, equal treatment, and dignity for all.
“We also cannot ignore the fact that fatal encounters with law enforcement have disparately impacted Black and Brown people.
“To deliver real change, we must have accountability when law enforcement officers violate their oaths, and we need to build lasting trust between law enforcement, the vast majority of whom wear the badge honourably, and the communities they are sworn to serve and protect.” He said.
President Biden ended the statement by calling for Congress to send the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to his desk, which is a bill that was drafted by Democrats following the death of George Floyd by police officer Derek Chauvin.
Mr Nichols had been pulled over for alleged reckless driving, and an initial altercation occurred resulting in pepper spray being deployed.
After pepper spray was deployed, Mr Nichols ran, according to Mr Mulroy, where officers caught up to him nearby, where the incident which resulted in his extensive injuries then occurred.
Mr Romanucci said that what occurred was “unadulterated, unabashed, nonstop beating”.
Mr Nichols’ autopsy found that he was severely beaten, and the injuries he sustained were the cause of his death.
