Verdicts announced in Tyre Nichols federal trial; ex-officers taken into custody

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A federal jury announced mixed verdicts against three former Memphis Police officers accused in the beating death of Tyre Nichols, finding them guilty on some counts but not guilty on others, including violating Nichols’ civil rights.

“All of them have been covicted of something, and they are all going to jail,” said Tyre Nichols’ mother RowVaughn Wells, outside the federal courthouse in Memphis. “This has been a long journey for our family.”

The verdicts came down at 5 p.m. Thursday after a nearly four-week trial. The results are below:

• Count 1 – Violating Nichols’ Civil Rights
• Count 2 – Deliberate Indifference to Medical Needs
• Count 3 – Conspiracy
• Count 4 – Obstruction

Tadarrius Bean:

• Count 1 – Not Guilty
• Count 2 – Not Guilty
• Count 3 – Not Guilty
• Count 4 – Guilty

Demetrius Haley:

• Count 1 – Not Guilty, Guilty of lesser crime of deprivation of rights resulting in bodily injury
• Count 2 – Not Guilty, Guilty of lesser crime of deprivation of rights resulting in bodily injury
• Count 3 – Guilty
• Count 4 – Guilty

Justin Smith:

• Count 1 – Not Guilty
• Count 2 – Not Guilty
• Count 3 – Not Guilty
• Count 4 – Guilty

The three former officers were taken into custody by marshals after the verdicts were announced. They have a detention hearing on Monday to discuss their release. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 22.

Despite the mixed verdict, with the officers being found not guilty on some of the counts, Nichols’ family said they were satisfied with the outcome. Nichols’ father said he was “elated” and this was “a very good day.”

“The jury found that all of them in some way participated in a crime, and that Tyre Nichols’ death won’t go unaccounted for,” attorney Ben Crump said.

Five former officers who were fired after Nichols’ death still face a state criminal trial. A date has not been set.

Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said his office is prepared for the upcoming state case.

“We commend the diligent work of the US Attorney’s Office,” Mulroy said. “The public deserves to know that those who enforce the law are not above the law: if they use excessive force they’ll be held accountable. While the verdict may not be everything hoped for, we’re fully prepared to move forward with the State’s case. We will await sentencing in federal court, consult with US Attorney’s Office counsel, and take appropriate steps in state court.”

“My hope for our community is that we continue to respond in peace and that we keep Tyre’s legacy at the heart of our collective reaction to this verdict,” Memphis Mayor Paul Young said in a statement.

“Today’s verdict brings a measure of justice for Tyre Nichols’ family, who have endured unimaginable pain since his tragic and senseless death,” said state Sen. London Lamar (D-Memphis). “While no verdict can bring Tyre back, the conviction of these officers is a critical step in holding those responsible accountable.”

Earlier coverage is below.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — After nearly four weeks, the jury will soon determine the fate of three former Memphis Police officers accused of beating Tyre Nichols to death during a traffic stop in 2023.

The jury started deliberating on Thursday morning. Each of the 12 jurors will have to agree unanimously on each count for each defendant.

► MORE ON TYRE NICHOLS

Judge Mark Norris read the jury’s instructions, and the prosecution and defense finished presenting their cases with closing arguments Wednesday night.

The prosecution wrapped up their case by telling the jury that Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, and Justin Smith “Beat him (Nichols), left him to die, and tried to cover it up.”

“They have blamed everyone but themselves,” said prosecuting attorney Kathryn Gilbert. “They wanted it to be a beatdown, and they made sure that it was.”

Meanwhile, defense attorneys argued over the last four weeks of testimony that the former officers participated in a “high-risk” traffic stop involving a suspect who was resisting and under the influence of drugs. Their cases heavily focused on the officer’s training, or in their words, lack of training.

They argued that the officers were blinded by pepper spray, the kicks and punches to Nichols were consistent with MPD policy, and they aided Nichols by calling for medical on the scene.

“These guys are doing life or death work,” said Bean’s attorney, John Keith Perry. “They were serious business and they were doing their job.”

Bean, Haley, and Smith face the same four federal counts – Violating Tyre Nichols’ Civil Rights, Deliberate Indifference to his medical needs, Conspiracy to cover up their use of unlawful force, and Obstruction by intentionally omitting information to those writing reports on the arrest of Nichols.

The first two counts of the indictment carry a maximum penalty of life in prison. The last two carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

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All five officers, including Desmond Mills and Emmitt Martin who have already taken deals and pleaded guilty to federal charges, also face state criminal charges of second-degree murder in the Nichols case.

Tyre Nichols’ mom RowVaughn Wells is hoping for justice in the death of her son. She has been in the courtroom throughout the 19-day trial, opting to step out of the courtroom when video of the beating was played.

Now she waits for a jury to decide what happens next.

“We love you. We love you Tyre,” said Wells.

On January 7, 2023, Tyre Nichols was severely beaten during a traffic stop in Hickory Hill, right down the road from his home. Three days later, on January 10, he died from blunt force trauma to the head, according to an autopsy report.

The five officers accused of the beating were fired by the Memphis Police Department and indicted in state court just days after the incident. Body camera and Skycop camera footage were released of the beating, and a few months later, a federal indictment followed.

Lawmakers are already looking at how this case can change state law on body cam procedures and closely watching the outcome of this trial.

“I feel the pain. And we’ve got the opportunity to put things in place in terms of legislation, in terms of best practices for the Memphis Police Department and other law enforcement agencies,” said Tennessee Representative G.A. Hardaway.

If no verdict is reached on Thursday, the jury will return on Friday to continue deliberating. The court is not in session on the weekends, so if there is still no verdict on Friday, we will move into next week.

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