Update: 5 Former Police Officers Involved In Fatal Beating Of Tyre Nichols Indicted On Federal Charges

Update: 5 Former Police Officers Involved In Fatal Beating Of Tyre Nichols Indicted On Federal Charges

Update: (Sept. 12, 2023): New details have surfaced in the ongoing case surrounding the untimely death of Tyre Nichols.

As previously reported, in January, news broke that Tyre Nichols was brutally beaten by five Memphis police officers. The 29-year-old was eventually taken to the hospital in severe condition, however, he ultimately passed away a few days after the attack. The officers involved in the incident — — Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith –- were fired.

The five men reportedly responsible for the death of Tyre Nichols were indicted today (Sept. 12) by a federal grand jury. According to reports, the four-count indictment charged each of them with deprivation of rights under the color of law through excessive force and failure to intervene, and through deliberate indifference; conspiracy to witness tampering, and obstruction of justice through witness tampering.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the department’s Civil Rights Division spoke on the matter during a press conference and said,

“As Americans, our Constitution gives us certain basic rights when we interact with law enforcement officers. We have a right to be free from unreasonable force, a right to have other officers intervene to stop the unlawful assault and a right when in police custody to have urgent medical needs appropriately addressed and not met with deliberate indifference.”

She added,

“Tyre Nichols should be alive today.”

The ex-policemen have already pleaded not guilty to state charges of second-degree murder.

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Original story: (Jan. 26, 2023): Five police officers who were fired for their alleged roles in the beating death of Tyre Nichols were booked into Memphis‘ Shelby County Jail on Tuesday (Jan. 26).

According to reports, on January 7, Tyre Nichols was stopped by the police for allegedly driving recklessly, and the confrontation turned violent and deadly. Tyre Nichols was taken to the hospital in severe condition after the incident and passed away on January 10—three days later.

The officers reportedly responsible for the incident have since been identified as Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmit Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith.

Reportedly, court records show that the men each face two counts of official misconduct, one count of official oppression, one count of second-degree murder, one count of aggravated assault, and two counts of aggravated kidnapping.

Tyre Nichols (Photo Source: WREG News Channel 3 via YouTube)

Tyre Nichols‘ stepfather, Rodney Wells, said at a press conference that anything less than a first-degree murder indictment would be unacceptable. The family has retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump to represent them going forward. While standing beside the family at a press conference, Ben Crump said,

“Regrettably, it reminded us of the Rodney King video, and unlike Rodney King, Tyre did not survive.”

Following the beating, the five officers were fired and two EMS personnel were relieved of their duties pending the outcome of the investigation.

Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis described the assault Nichols endured as “heinous, reckless, and inhumane” as she prepared the public for the release of bodycam footage showing his arrest. She said,

“This is not just a professional failing. This is a failing of basic humanity toward another individual. They failed our community, and they failed the Nichols family. That is beyond regrettable.”

The Rev. Al Sharpton announced that he will give the eulogy at Nichols‘ funeral and that he and civil rights activists will stand by the family to make sure they obtain justice.

What are your thoughts on the entire situation? Let us know in the comments!

[VIA, VIA]