10 months, 2 weeks ago

Federal trial of former Memphis officers in Tyre Nichols beating death pushed back 4 months

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A judge on Thursday pushed back for four months the federal court trial of four former Memphis police officers charged with civil rights violations in the beating death of Tyre Nichols. “We just need additional time.” Police video showed officers yanked Nichols out of his car during a traffic stop on Jan. 7, 2023, after he was pulled over for alleged reckless driving. Stengel asked Norris to bar prosecutors from using experts to discuss Nichols’ cause of death, toxicology and DNA test results, whether the officers used unreasonable force, and whether any “alleged force” used against Nichols resulted in his injury or death. Martin's motion said the trial atmosphere has been “utterly corrupted by press coverage.” The criminal case is separate from the U.S. Department of Justice's “patterns and practices” investigation into how Memphis officers use force and conduct arrests, and whether the department in the majority-Black city engages in racially discriminatory policing.

Death Trial Memphis Federal Expert Officers Force Martin Nichols Norris Motion Stengel Expert Testimony beating trial pushed force video officers memphis death verifyerrors motion expert nichols tyre federal months

History of this topic

2 weeks, 4 days ago

Memphis police ‘harm and demean’ people, DOJ says after issuing scathing report calling for reforms after Tyre Nichols’ death

CNN

CNN — A scathing report from the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division found the Memphis Police Department engages in a pattern of discriminatory policing, including violence against the disabled, and regularly violates the constitutional rights of its residents, particularly Black people. However, in a letter responding to the DOJ’s claims, the city of Memphis said it’s not ready to …

2 weeks, 4 days ago

Memphis cops use excessive force against Black people: US Justice Department

India Today

The Memphis Police Department uses excessive force and discriminates against Black people, according to the findings of a US Department of Justice investigation launched after the beating death of Tyre Nichols after a traffic stop in 2023. The report says that “Memphis police officers regularly violate the rights of the people they are sworn to serve.” “The people of Memphis …

2 weeks, 4 days ago

US federal probe finds Memphis police discriminate against African Americans

China Daily

FILE PHOTO: Former Memphis police officers who have been charged in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols appear during an arraignment hearing at Shelby County courthouse in Memphis, Tennessee, US, February 17, 2023. HOUSTON -- Federal investigators have found the Memphis Police Department has unlawfully discriminated against African Americans, said the US Department of Justice in an investigation report on …

2 weeks, 4 days ago

US federal probe finds Memphis police discriminate against African Americans

China Daily

2 weeks, 4 days ago

Memphis police use excessive force and discriminate against Black people, Justice Department finds

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Police Department uses excessive force and discriminates against Black people, according to the findings of a U.S. Department of Justice investigation launched after the beating death of Tyre Nichols after a traffic stop in 2023. The report says that “Memphis police officers regularly violate the rights of the people they are sworn to serve.” “The …

Memphis police department: City waiting on DOJ investigation into how officers use force on minorities

Trending News

2 weeks, 5 days ago

Memphis police department: City waiting on DOJ investigation into how officers use force on minorities

CNN

Memphis, Tennessee AP — Memphis will not agree to negotiate federal oversight of its police department until it can review and challenge results of a yet-to-be-released Department of Justice investigation into how its officers use force and treat minorities, according to a letter released by the city on Wednesday. In the letter to the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, Memphis …

2 weeks, 5 days ago

Memphis police use excessive force and discriminate against Black people, Justice Department finds

LA Times

Members of the Memphis Police Department work a crime scene. A U.S. Department of Justice investigation found that Memphis police use excessive force and discriminate against Black people. The Memphis Police Department uses excessive force and discriminates against Black people, according to the findings of a U.S. Department of Justice investigation launched after the beating death of Tyre Nichols after …

1 month, 1 week ago

Judge sets April trial for 3 former officers charged with murder in Tyre Nichols’ beating

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Three former Memphis police officers charged with murder in the beating of Tyre Nichols will go on trial in April, a judge decided Friday. Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith have pleaded not guilty to state charges of second-degree murder in the death of Nichols, who was punched, kicked and hit with a police baton after …

2 months, 2 weeks ago

2 ex-officers convicted in fatal beating of Tyre Nichols get home detention while 1 stays in jail

The Independent

2 months, 2 weeks ago

2 ex-officers convicted in fatal Memphis beating get home detention; a 3rd remains jailed

LA Times

RowVaughn Wells, second from right, mother of Tyre Nichols, speaks during a news conference Oct. 3 outside the Tennessee federal courthouse after three former Memphis police officers were convicted of witness tampering charges in the 2023 fatal beating of Nichols. Two former Memphis police officers convicted of obstruction of justice in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols will be released …

2 months, 2 weeks ago

Split verdict reached in case of Memphis cops accused in Tyre Nichols beating case

The Independent

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors …

2 months, 2 weeks ago

Mixed verdict for 3 Memphis officers convicted in Tyre Nichols’ fatal beating

LA Times

Attorney Ben Crump and RowVaughn Wells, Tyre Nichols’ mother, leave the federal courthouse in Memphis on Thursday. Gen. Kristen Clarke, who oversees the Justice Department’s civil rights division, said, “Tyre Nichols should be alive today.” “We hope this prosecution provides some measure of comfort as the law enforcement officers tied to his death have been held accountable,” Clarke said. They’re …

2 months, 2 weeks ago

Jury Acquits Two Officers Of Violating Tyre Nichols’ Civil Rights, But Convicts On Other Charges

Huff Post

LOADING ERROR LOADING A federal jury acquitted two former Memphis police officers on Thursday for violating the civil rights of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, in January 2023 during a traffic stop just minutes away from his parents’ home. Civil rights attorneys Benjamin Crump and Antonio Romanucci said the jury’s verdict sends a powerful message to police officers. via …

2 months, 2 weeks ago

Jury in Memphis convicts ex-officers on some charges in beating death of Tyre Nichols

NPR

Jury in Memphis convicts ex-officers on some charges in beating death of Tyre Nichols toggle caption George Walker IV/AP MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A federal jury has convicted three former Memphis police officers of some federal civil rights violations and found them not guilty of others in the 2023 beating death of Black motorist Tyre Nichols. Sponsor Message Key evidence in …

2 months, 3 weeks ago

Judge weighs jury instructions in trial of 3 former Memphis officers charged in Tyre Nichols' death

Hindustan Times

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A judge considered arguments Tuesday related to dozens of pages of instructions that will be given to jurors in the federal trial of three former Memphis police officers charged with violating Tyre Nichols’ civil rights in a beating that proved fatal following a 2023 traffic stop. Judge weighs jury instructions in trial of 3 former Memphis officers …

2 months, 3 weeks ago

Judge weighs jury instructions in trial of 3 former Memphis officers charged in Tyre Nichols’ death

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A judge considered arguments Tuesday related to dozens of pages of instructions that will be given to jurors in the federal trial of three former Memphis police officers charged with violating Tyre Nichols’ civil rights in a beating that proved fatal following a 2023 traffic stop. Attorneys for Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith rested their …

2 months, 3 weeks ago

3 ex-officers did not testify at their trial in Tyre Nichols’ death

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Lawyers for three former Memphis officers rested their cases Monday without calling them to testify in their own defense against charges that they violated Tyre Nichols’ civil rights in a beating that proved fatal following a 2023 traffic stop. Michael Stengel, Haley’s lawyer, John Keith Perry, Bean’s attorney, and Martin Zummach, who represents Smith, each called their …

2 months, 3 weeks ago

Friend says an ex-officer on trial in fatal beating of Tyre Nichols did his job ‘by the book’

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A former Memphis police officer standing trial in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols is a kind-hearted, humble person who did his job “by the book,” a friend from the police academy testified Friday. Police video shows the officers used pepper spray and a Taser on Nichols, who was Black, during a traffic stop, but the 29-year-old …

2 months, 3 weeks ago

FBI agent says 2 officers accepted accountability in fatal beating of Tyre Nichols

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — An FBI agent who interviewed two former Memphis police officers on trial in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols testified Thursday that they accepted accountability for participating. Householder said he interviewed Bean and Smith as part of the FBI’s investigation into the January 2023 beating. Smith added that he didn’t tell emergency medical technicians about punches delivered …

2 months, 4 weeks ago

Ex-officer says he went along with ‘cover-up’ of fatal beating hoping Tyre Nichols would survive

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A former Memphis police officer testified under a plea deal Wednesday that he helped cover up the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols because he wanted to protect his job, and was hoping Nichols would survive and the scrutiny of the officers would simply “blow over.” Desmond Mills returned to the stand for a second day in the …

3 months ago

Memphis Officers Testify Condemning Beating Of Tyre Nichols

Huff Post

In this image from video released and partially edited by the city of Memphis, Tyre Nichols lies on the ground during a brutal attack by Memphis police officers on Jan. 7, 2023. City of Memphis via Associated Press Multiple former Memphis police officers condemned the policing tactics of their own department during high-profile testimony this week in the federal trial …

3 months ago

Ex-Memphis police supervisor says there was ‘no need’ for officers to beat Tyre Nichols

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — There was “no need” for five Memphis police officers to punch, kick, and hit Tyre Nichols with a baton on the night he was fatally beaten after a traffic stop, their former supervisor testified Thursday in the federal trial for three of the officers. The former supervisor said he also speculated that Nichols could have been on …

3 months ago

A former officer texted a photo of the bloodied Tyre Nichols to his ex-girlfriend

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A former Memphis police officer charged in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols sent his ex-girlfriend a photo of the badly injured man on the night he was punched, kicked and hit with a police baton following a traffic stop, according to trial testimony Wednesday. Brittany Leake, a Memphis officer and Demetrius Haley’s former girlfriend, testified during …

3 months ago

Testimony continues in trial of 3 ex-Memphis officers charged in Tyre Nichols' death

NPR

Testimony continues in trial of 3 ex-Memphis officers charged in Tyre Nichols' death Another former officer, who pleaded guilty to federal charges, testified that the assault occurred after a traffic stop and afterwards the officers lied about using excessive force. The officers are accused of using excessive force last year during their violent arrest of a Black motorist, Tyre Nichols. …

3 months, 1 week ago

Officers’ reports on fatal Tyre Nichols beating omitted punches and kicks, lieutenant testifies

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Three former Memphis police officers broke department rules when they failed to say that they punched and kicked Tyre Nichols on required forms submitted after the January 2023 fatal beating, a police lieutenant testified Friday. Wright also trained the officers’ two former colleagues, Emmitt Martin and Desmond Mills Jr., who already have pleaded guilty to civil rights …

3 months, 1 week ago

Officers Who Beat Tyre Nichols Went Against Training Protocol, Lieutenant Testifies

Huff Post

This image from video released by the City of Memphis on Jan. 27, 2023, shows Tyre Nichols being attacked by five Memphis police officers on Jan. 7, 2023. City of Memphis via AP, File MEMPHIS — Memphis Police Department Lt. Larnce Wright said Thursday that three former officers charged in the death of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, did …

3 months, 1 week ago

Testimony begins in Tyre Nichols federal case involving 3 ex-Memphis officers

NPR

Testimony begins in Tyre Nichols federal case involving 3 ex-Memphis officers A Memphis jury heard opening statements in the federal trial of three former police officers — charged with violating the civil rights of Black motorist Tyre Nichols, who died after a traffic stop. MICHEL MARTIN, HOST: A jury in Memphis heard opening statements yesterday in the federal trial of …

3 months, 1 week ago

Trial Of 3 Officers Accused Of Beating Tyre Nichols To Death Begins With Grim Warning

Huff Post

Former Memphis Police Department officers, from top left: Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, and from bottom left, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith. Memphis Police Department via AP, File MEMPHIS — Prosecutors in Memphis began opening arguments on Wednesday against the three officers on trial in the death of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man who was beaten …

3 months, 1 week ago

Officers pummeled Tyre Nichols because he fled, a form of ‘run tax,’ prosecutor says

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Three former Memphis police officers charged in the January 2023 beating death of Tyre Nichols stood by his body and laughed after they punched, kicked and struck him with a baton in an attack that a prosecutor says was punishment because he tried to run away. “You won’t see Tyre Nichols pose a threat to these officers …

3 months, 1 week ago

Memphis police officers pummeled Tyre Nichols because he fled, a form of ‘run tax,’ prosecutor says

LA Times

The screen before an NBA basketball game in New Orleans honors Tyre Nichols on Jan. 28, 2023. Three former Memphis police officers charged in the January 2023 beating death of Tyre Nichols stood by his body and laughed after they punched and kicked him and hit him with a baton in an attack that a prosecutor says was punishment because …

3 months, 1 week ago

Jury is selected for the trial of 3 ex-Memphis officers charged in Tyre Nichols’ death

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A jury was selected Tuesday for the federal trial of three former Memphis police officers charged with federal civil rights violations in the January 2023 beating death of Tyre Nichols. The three officers now facing trial, along with Martin and Mills, were fired for violating Memphis Police Department policies. Bill Lee on Tuesday told reporters that Nichols’ …

3 months, 2 weeks ago

Trial Over Tyre Nichols' Death Begins In Memphis

Huff Post

In this image from video released and partially redacted by the City of Memphis, Tyre Nichols lies on the ground during a brutal attack by police officers on Jan. 7, 2023, in Memphis. via Associated Press The federal trial over the death of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man who died after law enforcement officers beat him following a traffic …

3 months, 2 weeks ago

Judge asks potential jurors if they can be fair toward 3 officers charged in Tyre Nichols’ death

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Potential jurors in the federal trial of three former Memphis police officers charged with violating Tyre Nichols ’ civil rights were asked Monday whether heavy media coverage and publicly released video of him being beaten to death could influence their ability to be fair. Police video released that month showed the five officers, who also are Black, …

4 months ago

A 2nd ex-Memphis officer pleads guilty in Tyre Nichols’ death. He could serve 40 years in prison

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Federal prosecutors agreed to recommend a prison sentence of no more than 40 years for a former Memphis police officer who pleaded guilty Friday to federal civil rights violations in the 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols. In a news conference with civil rights attorney Ben Crump after the hearing, Wells said it was “very emotional” and …

4 months ago

2nd ex-Memphis officer pleads guilty in Tyre Nichols’ death. Prosecutors seek 40-year sentence

LA Times

Former Memphis police officer Emmitt Martin III, second from left, walks into federal court on Friday in Memphis, Tenn. Federal prosecutors recommended a 40-year sentence for a former Memphis police officer who pleaded guilty to federal civil rights violations in the 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols. And until we get justice for all of them, I won’t be content.” …

4 months ago

Tyre Nichols: Second former Memphis police officer changes his plea to guilty in beating death

CNN

CNN — A second former Memphis police officer facing federal civil rights charges in the violent arrest and beating death of Tyre Nichols changed his plea to guilty on Friday in federal court. “Today was very emotional, to hear another police officer plead guilty in my son’s murder,” RowVaughn Wells, Nichols’ mother, said after Martin’s court appearance. I will never …

4 months ago

A 2nd ex-Memphis officer accused in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols is changing his plea

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A second former Memphis police officer charged with federal civil rights violations in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols last year is changing his not-guilty plea, in a case that sparked outrage and calls for police reform. In November, another former Memphis officer, Desmond Mills Jr., also changed his plea to guilty to federal charges of excessive …

4 months ago

Second former officer changing plea in Tyre Nichols death

CNN

CNN — A second former Memphis police officer charged in the violent arrest and beating death of Tyre Nichols intends to change his plea to guilty, according to federal court documents. Former Memphis Police Officer Emmitt Martin III had previously pleaded not guilty to charges related to the death of Nichols, the 29-year-old Black man who was beaten by Memphis …

7 months, 1 week ago

‘Where’s Ronald Greene’s justice?': 5 years on, feds still silent on Black motorist’s deadly arrest

Associated Press

— Mona Hardin has been waiting five long years for any resolution to the federal investigation into her son’s deadly arrest by Louisiana State Police troopers, an anguish only compounded by the fact that nearly every other major civil rights case during that time has passed her by. Every one of those cases happened months or years after the death …

8 months, 2 weeks ago

Police officers’ trial on civil rights charges in Tyre Nichols death to stay in Memphis, judge says

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The federal trial of four former Memphis police officers charged with civil rights violations in the beating death of Tyre Nichols will be held in the city, a judge ruled Thursday. A document filed by lawyers for one of the officers, Emmitt Martin, said the trial atmosphere in Memphis has been “utterly corrupted by press coverage.” Norris …

8 months, 2 weeks ago

Judge denies officers' attempt to move federal trial in Tyre Nichols death out of Memphis

The Independent

Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The federal trial of four former Memphis police …

9 months, 2 weeks ago

Memphis judge postpones state trial in Tyre Nichols death until end of federal trial

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A judge on Friday indefinitely postponed the state court trial of four former Memphis officers charged with second-degree murder in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols until after the conclusion of a federal court trial on civil rights violations. Criminal Court Judge James Jones Jr. made the ruling after defense attorneys filed a motion asking him to …

9 months, 2 weeks ago

Memphis judge postpones cops’ state trial in Tyre Nichols death until end of federal case

LA Times

A candlelight vigil was held for Tyre Nichols in Memphis on Jan. 7, the anniversary of the beating he received that led to his death. On Friday, a Tennessee judge indefinitely postponed the state court trial of the four former Memphis police officers charged with second-degree murder in Nichols’ death until after their federal civil rights trial. A judge on …

10 months, 1 week ago

Witness thought Tyre Nichols was already dead at the scene of police beating, new documents show

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The city of Memphis on Wednesday released hundreds of pages of documents tied to the January 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols by five police officers, including an account from a witness who saw Nichols slumped on the pavement and thought he was already dead. An initial incident report for Nichols’ arrest, included among the latest documents, …

10 months, 2 weeks ago

Federal trial of former Memphis officers in Tyre Nichols beating death pushed back 4 months

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A judge on Thursday pushed back for four months the federal court trial of four former Memphis police officers charged with civil rights violations in the beating death of Tyre Nichols. “We just need additional time.” Police video showed officers yanked Nichols out of his car during a traffic stop on Jan. 7, 2023, after he was …

10 months, 3 weeks ago

Prosecutors detail possible expert witnesses in federal case against officers in Tyre Nichols death

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Police Department trainers are prepared to testify in the federal civil rights case against four former Memphis police officers in the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols that the officers used force inconsistent with their training and failed to prevent their colleagues from hurting him, court documents showed. Meeting a judge’s deadline, prosecutors revealed in court filings …

10 months, 3 weeks ago

Tyre Nichols was initially pulled over on speeding accusation, a former Memphis officer says in newly released videos

CNN

CNN — Newly released videos from the city of Memphis, Tennessee, appear to shed light on the reason why Tyre Nichols was initially stopped by police last year – an encounter that eventually led to his death and sparked fresh protests over how police in America treat people of color. In a conversation captured on the body-worn cameras of two …

10 months, 3 weeks ago

Memphis releases new video of Tyre Nichols’ fatal arrest

CNN

CNN — Newly released video from the Tyre Nichols investigation shows Memphis police officers interacting with Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, on January 7, 2023, the night Nichols was beaten by police. In the video, Wells responds to officers telling her that Nichols was fighting with them by saying, “That’s not my son.” Wells also tells officers her son doesn’t drink …

10 months, 4 weeks ago

Memphis, Tennessee, police chief to serve in interim role under new mayor

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis police chief who was in charge when Tyre Nichols was fatally beaten by five officers will serve on an interim basis under a newly elected mayor, officials said Tuesday. The Memphis City Council had been set to vote Tuesday on whether to retain or replace Memphis Police Director Cerelyn “CJ” Davis, who has been under …

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