Commencing speeches introduced in the trial involving three former Memphis police officers, accused of involvement in the demise of Tyre Nichols
Law enforcement officials are set to address the jury for the first time in the fatal incident of Nichols, an event captured on police surveillance and fueling demands for police reform in the USA. The trial is predicted to stretch over three to four weeks.
The selection of the jury was finalized on Tuesday with 12 jurors and 4 alternates chosen from a pool of 200 candidates who completed questionnaires preceding the trial.
Potential jurors underwent questioning by US District Judge Mark Norris regarding their ability to remain impartial amidst intense media coverage and potential challenges in watching the footage of the brutal beating should they be selected.
Three individuals, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith, have entered not guilty pleas in relation to allegations of employing excessive force, neglecting to intervene, and obstructing justice through witness tampering in the case of the 29-year-old Nichols. Two more individuals, Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr., have pleaded guilty to federal charges and may testify against their former colleagues.
On January 10, 2023, Nichols, a man of African descent, passed away in a hospital following a three-day ordeal comprising of kicks, punches, and strikes with a police baton during a routine traffic stop. Police footage released that month depicted five officers, all of whom are also African American, engaging in the brutal assault on Nichols while he called out for his mother, just a block from his residence. The video showed the officers casually interacting with each other as Nichols lay on the ground, enduring his injuries.
The officers claimed that Nichols was stopped due to reckless driving, however, Memphis’ police chief stated there is no evidence supporting this justification.
An autopsy report disclosed that Nichols died from head trauma and that the manner of death was classified as homicide. The report also noted brain injuries and lacerations and bruises to other areas of the body.
Nichols was employed by FedEx and had a passion for skateboarding and photography.
The three officers now facing trial, along with Martin and Mills, were dismissed from their positions with the Memphis Police Department for violating departmental policies. They had been affiliated with a crime suppression unit called the Scorpion Unit, which was dismantled following Nichols’ death.
Shortly after their termination, the five officers were charged with second-degree murder in state court, where they pleaded not guilty. They were then indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2023.
Martin and Mills are anticipated to plead guilty to the state charges as well. The scheduled trial date in state court has yet to be established.
On Monday, the judge announced a list of potential witnesses, which included Martin and Mills, along with two other former officers. Preston Hemphill discharged his stun gun at the traffic stop scene but failed to pursue Nicholas to where the other officers subjected him to further violence. Hemphill was subsequently let go. Dewayne Smith served as the supervising lieutenant who arrived at the scene after the assault. He opted to retire instead of facing dismissal.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee moderated a press conference on Tuesday, asserting that Nichols’ death "should not have happened," but emphasized that "progress has been made to address the circumstances in Memphis and the Memphis Police Department."
"This family will never recover from their loss," Lee stated during a direct question about the trial. "And we often speak of redemption, and what we hope is that the redemption brought about by justice will be realized in this case."
Earlier in the year, Lee and Republican lawmakers engaged in a contentious debate with Nichols’ mother and stepfather, as state legislators revoked Memphis police reforms instituted post-Nichols's death. One of the repealed city ordinances prohibited so-called pretextual traffic stops, such as those conducted for minor infractions like a malfunctioning taillight.
The jury, consisting of 12 main jurors and 4 alternates, will deliberate on the case involving the officers and their alleged actions against Nichols, as 'us' will be responsible for delivering a verdict based on the evidence presented.
During the trial, the defense may call upon witnesses such as Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith, among others, to testify about their version of events and provide insights into their interactions with Nichols, remembering that 'us' as the jury will be tasked with evaluating their testimonies.
