MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The federal trial for three former Memphis Police officers accused of killing Tyre Nichols continues on Thursday with testimonies from witnesses.
This story will be updated throughout the day with news Thursday.
Wednesday morning began with opening statements from defense attorneys and prosecutors.
Testimony begins in Tyre Nichols federal case
Elizabeth Rogers, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, told jurors that evidence would be hard to watch and that those days would not be easy.
“Five officers took turns punching, kicking, and beating Nichols until he died. They stood by his dying body and laughed. They silently agreed to lie about it and cover it up,” Rogers said.
Rogers says that Emmitt Martin and Desmond Mills will testify that the team was angry Nichols ran and angry that they pepper sprayed themselves.
Defense attorneys argued that Nichols was noncompliant and the ex-officers were “struggling” with him. They also claimed that the kicks and punches from the men were not against MPD policy.