Four former Memphis police officers entered a plea of not guilty on Wednesday to federal civil rights charges in connection with the violent beating and death of Tyre Nichols. The incident occurred during a traffic stop nine months ago. Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills, and Justin Smith were led into a courtroom by US Marshals, wearing handcuffs and leg restraints. This was their first hearing since being charged on Tuesday with using excessive force and conspiring to lie about the assault on Nichols. As Nichols cried out for his mother just steps from his home, the officers brutally beat him. According to reports, he died three days later.
Magistrate Judge Charmiane Claxton accepted the not guilty pleas from lawyers representing the four officers. These officers were fired for violating Memphis Police Department policy after Nichols’ death. A video captured the incident, in which Nichols was punched, kicked, and hit with a baton. In addition to the federal charges, a fifth officer, Emmitt Martin, who was also fired, will make his first appearance in court on Thursday. All five officers face charges of excessive force, failure to intervene or advise medical personnel about Nichols’ injuries, conspiracy to tamper with witnesses, and obstruction of justice through witness tampering.
The five officers have also been charged in state court with second-degree murder and other crimes related to Nichols’ beating death. All five officers, who are Black, pleaded not guilty to the state charges. Judge Claxton ordered the release of the four officers present in court on Wednesday on a $50,000 unsecured bond. This means they will not have to pay any money unless they fail to appear in court. Kristen Clarke, the leader of the US Department of Justice’s civil rights division, stated during a news conference that the five officers used excessive force, failed to inform medical personnel about Nichols’ injuries, and conspired to cover up their misconduct.
(Read more Tyre Nichols stories.)
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
