On Friday, the 5 former Memphis Police Department officers charged within the demise of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man who died days after being overwhelmed by police in January, pleaded not responsible to second-degree homicide and different fees, AP News reported.
The former officers additionally confronted fees of aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct, and official oppression in Shelby County Criminal Court.
At the arraignment listening to, Nichols’ mom, stepfather, and their civil rights legal professional had been current, as was the choose, who warned that the case would possibly take a while and requested the officers to work with their attorneys and be affected person. The division fired the officers after an inside investigation discovered they violated departmental insurance policies in the course of the cease.
Tyre Nichols Was Bludgeoned During Traffic Stop, Died Days Later
So far, the division has relieved a complete of seven officers concerned within the site visitors cease as a part of its ongoing investigation into Nichols’ demise and has formally fired six officers. According to Shelby County assistant district legal professional Paul Hagerman, the investigation is constant, and extra fees could also be filed.
Footage from the cease, which incorporates graphic, violent content material, confirmed at the very least 5 officers kicking and punching Nichols or hitting him with a baton and forcing him to the bottom over at the very least three minutes. Late final month, Memphis publicly launched at the very least among the footage from the cease. In the clips, Nichols is heard pleading for his mom as officers ignore his requests for them to cease.
Tyre Nichols’ Mother Reacts To Memphis Officers Pleading Not Guilty
Tyre Nichols’ mom RowVaughn Wells, ,responds in any case 5 former Memphis law enforcement officials pleaded not responsible on Friday.
“I know my son is gone. I know I’ll never see him again, but we have to start this process of justice right now.”
“I know my son is gone. I know I’ll never see him again, but we have to start this process of justice right now.”
Tyre Nichols’ mom RowVaughn Wells responds in any case 5 former Memphis law enforcement officials pleaded not responsible on Friday: https://t.co/Byfvu9GjuE pic.twitter.com/0ug9djaDdj
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 17, 2023
The division initially mentioned the officers pulled Nichols over for reckless driving, nevertheless it later mentioned it couldn’t substantiate its earlier declare after a evaluate of the footage. According to attorneys employed by his household, Nichols died within the hospital on Jan. 10, three days after the beating. An official explanation for demise for Nichols has not been issued by the Shelby County medical expert’s workplace.
The defendants, who’re out on bail, could have one other listening to on May 1. The investigation goes on, and the district legal professional’s workplace is dedicated to making sure that everybody who took half within the criminality is dropped at justice on this case, mentioned Hagerman.