Former Memphis cops arrested for a brutal beating
Five former Black Memphis police officers have been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the beating death of Tyre Nichols, who was arrested during a traffic stop.
The former Black officers—Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin, III, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith.
In addition, they all were charged with aggravated assault, one count of official oppression, and two counts of aggravated kidnapping, and official misconduct. If they are convicted of murder in the second degree, they could 15 to 20 years in prison.
Police pulled over Nichols on January 7 around 8:30 p.m. for reckless driving near Raines Road and Ross Road.
A fight ensued when the officers attempted to arrest Nichols. He bolted and ran from the police. The cops caught up with him. And another fight erupted.
Nichols complained he could not breathe. An ambulance was called, and Nichols was rushed to St. Francis Hospital, where he was found in critical condition.
Three days later, Nichols died.
Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis called Nichols’ death a ‘heinous act.’