In a new development, the second ex-officer connected to the incident leading to Tyre Nichols' demise has decided to shift his plea to guilty.
Previously, ex-Memphis law enforcement officer Emmitt Martin III refused to admit guilt in relation to the demise of Nichols, a 29-year-old African American man who encountered severe physical assault from Memphis police officers following a traffic stop in January 2023.
In the eleventh month, Desmond Mills Jr., former Memphis police officer, agreed to admit guilt as part of a comprehensive settlement, handling both the state and federal accusations he faced due to his involvement in Nichols' tragic death.
Mills Jr., 33, confessed to two out of the four federal charges he was accused of, as mentioned by the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee. He also consented to confess to state court charges in relation to Nichols' death at an impending hearing, reportedly by the Shelby County district attorney.
Mills and Martin were among the five accused officers. The remaining three, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith, are yet to face trial.
A hearing for Martin's plea change has been scheduled for Friday at 3 p.m. ET, according to a filing submitted to the Western District of Tennessee Federal Court. It remains uncertain if Martin plans to alter his plea in his state case.
CNN sought comment from Martin's attorney but has yet to receive a response.
The Shelby County District Attorney's Office is fully aware of Martins expected plea change, confirmed Erica Williams, spokesperson for the DA's office. "We have been cooperating with federal authorities throughout the entire process," Williams shared with CNN.
Nichols' brutal beating by Memphis police officers stirred fresh protests, centered around the unfair treatment of African Americans by law enforcement officers in America. Nichols necessitated hospitalization post-encounter and tragically passed away three days later due to head trauma caused by blunt force. His autopsy revealed brain tearing and rupturing, along with extensive bruising on his body, including neck and torso. His death was officially classified as a homicide.
An internal investigation conducted by Memphis police led to the identification and dismissal of five officers involved in the traffic stop due to their violation of multiple department policies, including excessive use of force, failure to intervene, and neglecting aid duties, as acknowledged by the police department in an announcement.
The five officers were charged in Tennessee state court with murders, assaults, and kidnapping in connection with Nichols' demise.
Besides, in September, the officers were also accused in a federal indictment with four criminal charges, including civil rights, conspiracy, and obstruction offenses resulting in Nichols' death. Two of these charges carried a possible sentence of life imprisonment.
The indictment implicated the officers in employing unnecessary force, refusing to offer medical aid, conspiring to conceal their use of unlawful force, and intentionally providing false details in an arrest report.
Despite Mills' confession and plea deal, Emmitt Martin III's case remains unresolved, as he is scheduled for a plea change hearing on Friday. The US Attorney's Office for the Western District of Tennessee is closely monitoring Martin's situation, just as they did with Mills and the other accused officers.
