Three Former Memphis Officers Convicted of Federal Felonies in Tyre Nichols’ Death

The DOJ announced Thursday that three former Memphis police officers were convicted for their involvement in Tyre Nichols' death.Photo byBermix StudioonUnsplash

Three former Memphis Police Department officers were convicted Thursday of federal felonies for their involvement in the death of Tyre Nichols, who died after a violent encounter with police on January 7, 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

Demetrius Haley, Tadarrius Bean, and Justin Smith were found guilty by a federal jury after a four-week trial. They faced charges of excessive force, failure to intervene, and conspiring to cover up their actions by providing false information to superiors.

Two additional officers involved in the incident, Emmitt Martin III and Desmond Mills Jr., previously pled guilty to related charges, the DOJ states.

Court documents revealed that Nichols was stopped for a traffic violation and fled on foot. The officers pursued him, ultimately pepper-spraying, kicking, and beating him with batons.

Nichols was left handcuffed and without medical attention for several minutes before being transported to a hospital, where he died three days later. The medical examiner determined that Nichols died from blunt force trauma to the head and multiple injuries to his body.

Haley, Bean, and Smith were also convicted of witness tampering for providing false statements and omitting details about the assault to medical personnel, delaying essential treatment.

Sentencing for the three officers is scheduled for January 2025. Haley faces up to 30 years in prison, while Bean and Smith each face up to 20 years. Martin and Mills will be sentenced later this year.

In a written statement, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said, “All three former Memphis Police Department officers were convicted of federal felonies for their role in Tyre Nichols’ death. They join two additional former officers who had already pled guilty. With these convictions, all five of the former officers involved in the death of Mr. Nichols have been convicted of federal felonies. Tyre Nichols should be alive today. We extend our condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Nichols. We hope this prosecution provides some measure of comfort as the law enforcement officers tied to his death have been held accountable.”