5 Former Memphis Officers Plead Not Guilty in Death of Tyre Nichols

MEMPHIS, Tenn.—Five former Memphis Police officers on Friday pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and other charges stemming from last month’s death of Tyre Nichols.

Police captured footage of Nichols being kicked, beaten, and pepper sprayed by officers. The incident occurred on Jan. 7, following a traffic stop.

All five officers are out on bail. The officers entered their pleas during Shelby County Criminal Court’s arraignment.

The five officers—Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmit Martin, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith have been fired from the police force, and the special unit to which they belonged has been disbanded.

Shelby County Judge James Jones scheduled a May 1 hearing for the next hearing in this case against the officers. They face a maximum penalty amounting to 60 years imprisonment if convicted on the murder charge.

“We understand that there may be some high emotions in this case, but we ask that you continue to be patient with us,” Jones stated this during the hearing. “Everyone involved wants this case to be concluded as quickly as possible.”

Preston Hemphill, a sixth officer, was also fired. Also, three Memphis Fire Department emergency medicine technicians, who arrived after Nichols had been beaten, were also fired. Two Shelby County sheriff’s deputies who responded to the scene were suspended five days without pay.

In a series of undated photos taken in Memphis, Tenn., officers Preston Hemphill, Tadarrius beans, Demetrius Hayley, Justin Smith, EmmittMartin III, Desmond Mills, Jr., are pictured clockwise from the top.

Nichols—a 29-year-old father, avid skateboarder, and student of photography—attempted to converse with police as they shouted orders and threatened him with violence during last month’s ordeal.

The video showed officers saying that Nichols had dangerously swerved through traffic, while one officer said Nichols tried to grab his gun in the midst of the scrum.