Five former Memphis police officers charged with murder in connection with the death of Tyre Nichols entered not guilty pleas during their initial court appearance.
On January 7, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills Jr., Emmitt Martin III, and Justin Smith were involved in the arrest of Mr. Nichols.
After an internal investigation by the Memphis Police Department, they were fired.
Mr. Nichols’ death sparked protests in the United States against police brutality.
The judge confirmed that all five defendants pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct, and official oppression.
Judge James Jones urged patience as attorneys prepare their cases.
“This case may take some time,” he said to the defendants standing before him alongside their lawyers at the Shelby County Criminal Court.
“We do ask for your continued patience and your continued civility in this case,” he said.
Members of Mr Nichols’ family were in court with their lawyer, Ben Crump.
Mr Nichols’ mother RowVaughn Wells spoke to reporters outside court and reflected on seeing the ex-officers in person.
“They didn’t even have the courage to look at me in my face,” she said.
She promised to attend every court date until “we get justice for my son”.
“Memphis and the whole world need to see that what’s right is done in this case, and it needs to happen sooner rather than later,” lead prosecutor Paul Hagerman told reporters.
Five police officers have been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Tyre Nichols.
Preston Hemphill, the white Memphis police officer involved in the arrest of Tyre Nichols, who is heard wishing Tyre harm on body cam evidence, has been fired.
Memphis PD, in a statement, said that they performed a comprehensive assessment of Tyre’s arrest and decided that Hemphill violated many departmental regulations, including personal behavior, honesty, and improper Taser use.
The Memphis Fire Department also dismissed three members who went to the site in an ambulance, including two EMTs and a lieutenant, for violating numerous policies and protocols during Tyre’s arrest.
Tru News Report will bring you the story as it unfolds.
Source – Tru News Report
