3 former Memphis officers acquitted in beating death of Tyre Nichols

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Three former Memphis police officers were found not guilty on murder charges in the beating death of Tyre Nichols after he fled a traffic stop in 2023. 

The all-white jury deliberated for about 8.5 hours over two days. Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley and Justin Smith were acquitted on all charges, including second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression.

Defendants hug their lawyers

What they're saying:

After the jury's verdict was read, the defendants hugged their lawyers as relatives of the former officers cried. One relative yelled, "Thank you, Jesus!"

Prosecutors argued that the officers used excessive, deadly force in trying to handcuff Nichols and were criminally responsible for each others’ actions. They also said the officers had a duty to intervene and stop the beating and tell medical personnel that Nichols had been hit repeatedly in the head, but they failed to do so.

In opening statements, prosecutor Paul Hagerman said the officers were frustrated and full of adrenaline after Nichols fled the traffic stop.

A screen at the entrance of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church displays the celebration of life for Tyre Nichols on February 1, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Lucy Garrett/Getty Images)

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They were "overcome by the moment," the prosecutor said.

"Nobody is going to call them monsters," Hagerman said. "It doesn’t take monsters to kill a man."

The other side:

Defense attorneys attempted to refute accusations that the officers used excessive force to subdue Nichols and followed police policies and standards. They also argued that Nichols was actively resisting arrest and not complying with orders to present his hands to be cuffed.

The defense also seemed to score points with their use-of-force experts, who testified that officers on trial acted in compliance with police department policies and widely accepted law enforcement standards. 

The defense also suggested Nichols was on drugs, giving him the strength to fight off five strong officers. Some mushrooms containing the hallucinogenic psilocybin were also found in his car, a TBI agent testified. However, a toxicology report showed Nichols only had alcohol and a small amount of marijuana in his system.

Tyre Nichols’ death sparked outrage

The backstory:

Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, fled a traffic stop after he was yanked out of his car, pepper-sprayed and hit with a Taser. Five officers who are also Black caught up with him and punched, kicked and hit Nichols with a police baton, struggling to handcuff him as he called out for his mother just steps from his home. Nichols died Jan. 10, 2023, three days after the beating.

Footage of the beating captured by a police pole camera also showed the officers milling about, talking and laughing as Nichols struggled. His death led to nationwide protests, raised the volume on calls for police reforms in the U.S. and directed intense scrutiny of police in Memphis, a majority-Black city.

Former Memphis officer Desmond Mills Jr., another officer involved in the beating, Emmitt Martin, have agreed to plead guilty to the state charges and did not stand trial under deals with prosecutors. 

Dig deeper:

The three defendants who were acquitted on state charges still face the prospect of years in prison after they were convicted of federal charges last year, though they were acquitted of the most serious charges then, too.

Mills and Martin also pleaded guilty in federal court, where sentencing for all five officers is pending.

In December, the U.S. Justice Department said a 17-month investigation showed the Memphis Police Department uses excessive force and discriminates against Black people.