A verdict has been reached in the trial for three former Memphis police officers charged in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols.
According to KARK, ex-officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith were all found not guilty on all charges in their state trial for Nichols’ January 2023 beating death. The trio faced charges of second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct, and official oppression.
Nichols died on January 10, 2023, just three days after a traffic stop during which officers punched, kicked, and hit him with a baton as he called out for his mother, steps away from his home. Video showed the officers talking and laughing about the incident as Nichols struggled.
Prosecutors previously argued that Bean, Haley, and Smith were “frustrated, angry, and full of adrenaline” when they beat Nichols on January 7, 2023, per AP. Officers were “overcome by the moment” and failed to stop the beating, prosecutors said.
Haley also allegedly took a photo of Nichols while he was on the ground and leaning against a police car after the beating. Haley shared the image 11 times and engaged in text conversations about it with eight people, according to prosecutors.
Former Memphis officers Desmond Mills Jr. and Emmitt Martin were also charged in Nichols’ death, but pleaded guilty to the state charges and did not stand trial. All five officers are still awaiting sentencing for federal charges.
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