Five ex-officers charged with murder in Memphis beating

Five former Memphis police officers were charged with second-degree murder Thursday in the brutal beating of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, during a traffic stop, authorities said.

Ex-Officers Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith, who are all Black, were charged with second-degree murder, two counts of official misconduct, one count of official oppression, aggravated assault-act in concert and two counts of aggravated kidnapping in the death of Nichols, according to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

“I’m excited. It shows that justice is being served. It doesn’t matter the color of the officers. The fact is the officers did what they did, and it was unnecessary,” Nichols’ aunt Kandi Green said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.

The encounter occurred Jan. 7 and was captured on police body cameras.

Memphis police and law enforcement agencies across the country were bracing themselves Thursday for reaction to the release of video showing the brutal beating of Nichols, who died earlier this month after the encounter with police.

The possible release of the video of the incident — which could be released Thursday afternoon by the Shelby County district attorney — put police departments on notice across the country as they brace for demonstrations.

“This is a failing of basic humanity toward another individual. This incident was heinous, reckless and inhumane,” Memphis police Chief Cerelyn Davis said in a video statement Wednesday evening. “When the video is released in the coming days you will see this for yourselves.”

Davis, taking an apologetic tone in her address, urged citizens to peacefully express their First Amendment rights while saying the disturbing video must not be a “calling card for inciting violence.”

Lawyer Ben Crump, who represents Nichols’ family, said the charging of the officers “gives us hope as we continue to push for justice for Tyre.”

“This young man lost his life in a particularly disgusting manner that points to the desperate need for change and reform to ensure this violence stops occurring during lowthreat procedures, like, in this case, a traffic stop,” Crump said in a statement.