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Former Memphis Police officer texted photos of Tyre Nichols to 'female acquaintance,' document shows

Haley was one of the black officers involved in the ultimately lethal arrest.

Published: February 7, 2023 10:46pm

Updated: February 7, 2023 11:05pm

A former Memphis Police officer took photos of a beaten Tyre Nichols on his personal phone and sent them to a female "acquaintance."

Officer Demetrius Haley reportedly photographed Nichols after he and his colleagues had subdued Nichols and sent images of the bound individual to a female associate.

"On [Haley’s] personal cell phone, [Haley] took two photographs while standing in front of the obviously injured subject after he was handcuffed. [Haley] admitted [he] shared the photo in a text message with five people; one civilian employee, two MPD officers, and one female acquaintance," reads a document that the Tennessee Star obtained.

The Memphis Police Department filed the record with the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), the state police certification board, per the outlet.

Haley was one of the black officers involved in the ultimately lethal arrest. They have all been sacked and face second-degree murder charges. Former Officer Preston Hemphill, who is white, was also fired for allegedly violating department policies during the arrest.

Nichols' death prompted national outrage and calls to address police use of force. The City of Memphis later released body camera and pole camera footage of the arrest that depicted multiple officers violently beating Nichols.

Protesters demonstrated in the aftermath of the footage's release.

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