Three ex-cops convicted in Tyre Nichols death, one on civil rights charge

Three former Memphis police officers were convicted by a jury on Thursday of witness tampering in the death of Tyre Nichols, and one was convicted of a civil rights charge. 

The Tennessee jury found Demetrius Haley guilty of violating Nichols' civil rights causing bodily injury. He was acquitted of violating Nichols’ civil rights causing death, according to the Associated Press. The two other former cops, Justin Smith and Tadarrius Bean, were acquitted on all civil rights charges.

Nichols was a black man whose death spurred protests for police reform. He died Jan. 10, 2023, three days after he was allegedly beaten during a routine traffic stop on Jan. 7. 

Five former Memphis officers were initially charged in the case, but two accepted plea deals on depriving Nichols of his civil rights in order to testify in the prosecution of Bean, Haley, and Smith. All five were part of a special unit that looked for drugs, illegal guns and violent offenders.

Prosecutors attempted to argue that the former officers beat Nichols in a so-called "street tax" for running from a traffic stop. 

Defense attorneys however argued that Nichols had ignored their commands, and that they followed department policy. Video of the incident appeared to show that the officers beat Nichols by punching and kicking him, and they also allegedly used pepper spray and a taser on him.

The five former officers are still awaiting trial in state court for second-degree murder. No trial date in the case has been set so far, but they have all pleaded not guilty.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.