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MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Jury selection is set to begin Monday for the federal trial of three ex-Memphis police officers accused of violating Tyre Nichols’ civil rights. Nichols, 29, died after a violent confrontation with police that was captured on camera, leading to public outcry and demands for police reform.
The former officers, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith, have entered not guilty pleas to charges of using excessive force, failing to intervene, and obstructing justice via witness tampering.
In January 2023, Nichols was stopped by police and subsequently tried to flee. Police bodycam footage shows officers catching him and beating him in a Memphis neighborhood.
Jurors are to be chosen from a pool of approximately 200 individuals. The trial, expected to last three to four weeks, has garnered national media attention. Nichols’ family plans to attend.
Nichols, an African American, passed away in the hospital on January 10, 2023, three days after being kicked, punched, and struck with a police baton. Video footage released later showed five officers, all of whom are Black, assaulting Nichols as he cried out for his mother near his home. The footage also depicts officers standing around and conversing as Nichols, severely injured, remained on the ground.
Police claimed Nichols was stopped for reckless driving, but the Memphis police chief has stated there is no proof to support that allegation.
Nichols, who worked for FedEx, was passionate about skateboarding and photography. An autopsy revealed he died from head trauma, and the death was ruled a homicide, noting brain injuries and cuts and bruises.
The three officers, along with Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr., were terminated for violating Memphis Police Department policies. All were part of the Scorpion unit, which was disbanded after Nichols’ death.
Following their termination, the five officers faced charges of second-degree murder in state court and pleaded not guilty. They were later federally indicted in September 2023.
Mills and Martin have both pleaded guilty in federal court and may testify in the upcoming trial. A state court trial date has yet to be scheduled.