Three former Memphis police officers were acquitted on Wednesday of state charges, including second-degree murder, in connection with the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols following his escape from a traffic stop in 2023.
The jury, which appeared to be all white, took about 8 1/2 hours over two days to deliver the not guilty verdict after a nine-day trial in Memphis.
The officers—Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith—hugged their lawyers as they were cleared of all charges, with relatives of the officers expressing relief.
Despite the acquittal, the officers still face prison time after being convicted on federal charges last year, though they were also cleared of the most severe charges in that case.
Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, fled from the traffic stop after being forcibly removed from his vehicle, pepper-sprayed, and shocked with a Taser. He was caught by five officers, also Black, who beat him with punches, kicks, and a baton. Nichols died on January 10, 2023, three days after the beating, with footage from a police camera capturing the officers joking and conversing while Nichols struggled. His death sparked widespread protests and calls for police reform, with intense scrutiny on law enforcement in Memphis.
Other officers involved in the incident, including Desmond Mills Jr. and Emmitt Martin, reached plea deals and did not stand trial. The defendants were accused of using excessive force while arresting Nichols. Prosecutors argued that the officers were responsible for Nichols’ death and had a duty to intervene, but the defense contended that they followed police procedures.
Defense attorneys also suggested Nichols was resisting arrest and was under the influence of drugs, although toxicology reports showed only alcohol and small amounts of marijuana in his system.
Despite claims from the defense that the officers were blinded by pepper spray, prosecutors pointed to statements made by the officers after the incident that suggested they were fully aware of their actions.
