Mon Sep 09 15:17:21 UTC 2024: ## Three Memphis Officers Go on Trial for Tyre Nichols’ Death
**MEMPHIS, TN** – Jury selection began Monday in the federal trial of three former Memphis police officers charged in connection with the death of Tyre Nichols. Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith are facing charges of violating Nichols’ civil rights through excessive force, assault, and conspiracy to cover up their actions.
Nichols, 29, died in January 2023 after a traffic stop that was captured on body camera and surveillance footage. The footage allegedly shows officers repeatedly striking Nichols and then failing to provide him with medical aid as he lay injured. The incident sparked widespread protests and calls for police reform.
The medical examiner ruled Nichols’ death a homicide caused by blunt force trauma. The District Attorney’s office later confirmed that Nichols’ blood alcohol level was below the legal limit to drive, contradicting initial reports that he was intoxicated.
Two of the charges against Bean, Haley, and Smith carry a maximum penalty of life in prison, while the other two carry a maximum penalty of 20 years.
Two other officers, Desmond Mills Jr. and Emmitt Martin III, have already pleaded guilty to some of the federal charges. Martin pleaded guilty to excessive force, failure to intervene, and conspiracy to tamper with witnesses, while Mills admitted to excessive force, failure to intervene, and conspiracy to cover up his use of unlawful force.
The trial is expected to last three to four weeks. The officers also face state felony charges, including second-degree murder, in connection with Nichols’ death.
First Piper 