Ex-Memphis Police Officers Convicted in Connection with Brutal Beating Death of Tyre Nichols

Mar. 15, 2025

Tyre Nichols.Photo: facebook

Three Memphis officers on trial in connection with the death ofTyre Nicholswere convicted on charges related to the fatal 2023 beating but were acquitted on the most serious counts.

All three officers were acquitted of the most serious charge, which was violating civil rights causing death, which could have resulted in a life sentence.

Prosecutors had accused officers Bean, Haley and Smith of unlawful assault, failing to intervene in the assault and failing to render medical aid, in addition to violating Nichols’ civil rights.

The witness tampering charges could carry up to 20 years in prison, the AP reported.

The beating lasted around three minutes, during which Nichols was punched in the head after he had collapsed to the ground.

The other two officers,Desmond Millsand Emmitt Martin III, avoided federal trials after entering guilty pleas.

“[Mills’] cooperation will help us bring to justice all those criminally responsible while also identifying needs for systemic reform within the police department,” Mulroy said.

Martin pleaded guilty to federal civil rights and conspiracy charges, the same as Mills, in August 2024, the Department of Justice said. He entered his plea just weeks before his trial was set to begin.

Tyre Nichols.facebook

State proceedings against Bean, Haley and Smith had been expected to resume after the federal trial,The New York Timesreported.

All five officers charged in connection with Nichols’ death were fired in the aftermath of the incident, as were two Memphis firefighters involved in treating Nichols immediately after the beating, PEOPLE previously reported.

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“I don’t care what color — Black, White, pink, purple, [people] should [never] go through this,” Wells said. “My son didn’t do no drug[s], didn’t carry no guns, he didn’t like confrontation, none of that, that’s why this is so hard.”

“A win is a win," he reportedly said. “They’re all going to jail.”

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source: people.com